MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama soccer closes its 2009 home schedule this weekend when it hosts Louisiana-Monroe Friday night at 7 p.m., and Louisiana-Lafayette Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at The Cage. USA (2-13-1, 0-7-1) will honor its seniors Sunday before its match with La.-Lafayette, as part of Senior Day.
"We have been playing better soccer as of late, but just haven't seen the results in terms of wins," USA head coach Mike Varga said. "This is going to be a challenging weekend, but I certainly hope we can make it a special weekend for our seniors in their final matches at The Cage."
USA ranks second in saves in the Sun Belt Conference. Jaguar goalkeepers Katie Berry and Cassie Lythjohan have combined for 128 of the team's 134 saves. Berry ranks second in the SBC in saves per game, with an average of 6.46 saves per contest, and ranks fourth in the conference with 84 saves.
The Jaguars enter the weekend with a 10-1-3 all-time record against the Warhawks and Ragin' Cajuns. USA will look to remain perfect against La.-Monroe. The Jags are 5-0-0 all-time against the Warhawks. South Alabama enters Friday's match with La.-Monroe with an all-time series lead of 5-0-0. The Jaguars have outscored the Warhawks 13-1 all-time. USA is 3-0-0 against ULM at The Cage, and has outscored the Warhawks 4-0 in those matches. The Jags defeated La.-Monroe, 4-1, last season in Monroe, La. USA allowed its first goal against the Warhawks in last season's contest.
La.-Monroe enters Friday's match with a four-game losing streak. The Warhawks have been on the losing end in six of their last seven matches, including losses last weekend to Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky. La.-Monroe is 0-7-2 in road matches this season, and 0-4-0 in SBC road matches.
The Warhawks have been outscored by opponents 53-15 this season, and 36-4 in road games. ULM has allowed 53 goals this season - the most in the SBC. ULM goalkeepers have combined for a goals against average of 3.43 entering the weekend. La-Monroe is led offensively by Lindsey Tubbs, who leads the team in points (9) and assists (3), and is tied for the team lead in goals (3).
On Sunday, USA will look to extend its all-time lead over La.-Lafayette. The Jaguars lead the all-time series 5-1-3 over ULL. The Jags are 1-1-2 all-time against the Ragin' Cajuns at "The Cage." The schools have played to overtime in four of their previous nine meetings, with all but last season's contest resulting in a tie.
La.-Lafayette fell to Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky last weekend in a pair of 1-0 contests. The Ragin' Cajuns have lost 14 of their last 15 matches entering the weekend, and rank last in the SBC in goals (12), goals per game (0.80), assists (7) and assists per game (0.47). ULL has not shut out an opponent this season.
Sunday's match with La.-Lafayette will be available via webcast through Jaguar Nation, which can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com. Fans may purchase the webcast through their Jaguar Nation subscription for $7.95 per month, or annual subscription for $69.95.
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).
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