LAFAYETTE, La. ? The South Alabama soccer team defeated the University of Louisiana-Lafayette 3-2 on a double overtime game-winner by freshman midfielder Kristin Sutton Sunday at Cajun Track and Soccer Field.
Sutton netted the game-winner in the box off of a saved shot from the ULL goalkeeper at the 108:13 mark of the second overtime to lead the Jags to consecutive road wins for the first time this season.
“We put Kristin at the top, and there was a scramble inside the box, and she just found the ball and put it away,” USA head coach Mike Varga said. “This was a huge weekend because we had to get results, and we found a way to get it done.”
The Jags took a 1-0 lead at the 13:38 mark of the first half when forward Brandi Smith dribbled up from midfield and beat the goalkeeper on the right side to score her 13th goal of the season on an assist by Kelly Tarrant.
USA (6-10-2, 4-4-2) extended its lead to 2-0 when Tarrant netted a goal on an assist from Cortney Stewart. Tarrant split the defenders and beat the goalkeeper on the right side to score her third goal of the season.
“We played very good in the first twenty minutes and scored two early goals,” Varga said. “After we went up with our second goal, I feel like we coasted a little bit, and Lafayette battled back and equalized the game with two goals. They fought hard the entire game.”
ULL (4-12-2, 2-7-1) cut the Jags’ lead to 2-1 late in the first half when Callie Oliver netted a goal in the 42nd minute.
The Ragin’ Cajuns tied the game 2-2 at the 84:50 mark of the second half on a goal by Heather Fuller.
In the second overtime, Sutton netted the game-winner with just 1:47 left in the match to avoid the game ending in a tie. The win also guaranteed USA a spot in the 2008 Sun Belt Conference Tournament, which is scheduled for Nov. 5-8 in Denton, Texas.
The Jags will close out the regular season Friday, Oct. 31, at home against Troy University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at “The Cage.”
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).
