MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama soccer allowed three first-half goals in a 4-1 loss to Florida International Friday night in Sun Belt Conference action at "The Cage."
Fla. Int'l forward Thaisa Moreno gave the Golden Panthers a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute on a goal from the left side of the box. Moreno doubled the FIU lead in the 33rd minute when her shot arched over the head of USA defenders and found the back left net.
The Golden Panthers scored their third goal of the first half when Deana Rossi scored on a free kick in the 35th minute.
FIU (7-5-3, 5-1-1) took a 4-0 lead in the 67th minute of the match on a goal by Marina Pappas from the left box.
USA (2-12-1, 0-6-1) avoided the shutout in the 80th minute, when Brandi Smith scored her seventh goal of the season off of a corner kick from Rebecca Falgout. Allie Frakes also assisted in the goal.
"I thought we came out and played with good effort in the first 10 to 15 minutes," USA head coach Mike Varga said. "I thought we had good chances, but we just don't have any luck. Every game now is almost a tournament game for us. We have to approach it that way, and come back and hopefully get things turned around with a victory on Sunday."
The Jaguars return to SBC action Sun., Oct. 18, with a 12 p.m. match against Florida Atlantic.
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).
NOTES: USA fell to 7-6-0 all-time against FIU with the loss ... The Jaguars have lost their last two meetings with FIU, 4-1 ... USA fell to 5-3-0 all-time against the Golden Panthers at "The Cage" ... FIU won at "The Cage" for the first time since 2000.
-USA-
