MONROE, La. ? The University of South Alabama soccer team defeated the University of Louisiana at Monroe 4-1 Friday in Sun Belt Conference action at the ULM Soccer Complex.
“This is probably our best team effort of the year from an attacking and defending standpoint,” USA head coach Mike Varga said. “We came in with a game plan of what we wanted to do and followed it. I’m proud of how we pulled together and played as a team.”
The Jags took a 1-0 lead early in the first half when freshman forward Brandi Smith netted her 11th goal of the season at the 1:15 mark on an assist from Kelly Tarrant.
“That early goal was a huge confidence boost for us,” Varga said. “It was key for us to gain that early confidence, and we just fed off of it from that point on.”
USA senior midfielder Cortney Stewart extended the Jags’ lead to 2-0 with her first goal of the season on an assist by Smith at the 18:46 mark of the first half.
South Alabama carried a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Tarrant extended the USA lead to 3-0 at the 52:13 mark of the second half on an assist from Kristin Sutton.
Smith netted her second goal of the contest at the 66:07 mark of the second half on an assist by Jasmine Sanders to give USA a 4-0 lead.
Jeana Chesnik scored the Warhawks’ only goal of the match in the 87th minute.
Friday’s match marked the third multi-goal game for Smith this season, and increased her total goals scored in conference games to five. The Jags are 5-1-1 this season when Smith scores, and 3-0-1 in conference games when she scores a goal.
With the win, USA extended its winning streak to six games over the Warhawks, and improved its all-time series lead to 6-0-0.
The Jags move to 5-10-2 overall and 3-4-2 in SBC play with the win, while ULM falls to 4-11-1 overall and 1-7-1 in conference play.
USA will return to SBC action Sunday against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in Lafayette, La. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
