MOBILE, Ala. –The University of South Alabama soccer team continues Sun Belt Conference action on the road this weekend when it travels to the state of Arkansas. The Jags will take on Arkansas State (5-8-1, 1-5-0) Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in Jonesboro, Ark., and return to action Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. matchup against UALR (5-10-0, 1-5) in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“The team is disappointed with the results from last weekend,” Jaguar head soccer coach Mike Varga said. “We will work hard this week to try to get better and be ready to play two good teams on the road this weekend.
“Playing good teams exposes your weaknesses, and we saw what areas need work. The challenge now is to fix our mistakes and move on, which I am sure this group will do. There is still a lot of season left to be played, and we will be ready to compete again this weekend.”
USA (4-10-1, 2-4) enters Friday’s match with ASU looking to snap a three-game winless streak. The Jags are 8-1-1 all-time against ASU, and 2-1-1 when facing the Red Wolves in Jonesboro. USA dropped a 4-3 decision to ASU last season in Jonesboro.
The Red Wolves enter Friday’s contest after falling 2-3 Friday against Louisiana-Lafayette on the road. On Sunday, ASU snapped a seven-game losing streak, and earned its first conference win with a 2-1 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. ASU is 2-4-1 at home this season with wins over Lipscomb and Tulsa.
Arkansas State is led by forward Michelle Clark, who leads the team in goals (6), shots (26) and shots on goal (17). Defensively, ASU is led by Susan Brown who has recorded three shutouts this season and holds a 1.27 goals against average.
The Jags hold a 10-4-1 all-time series lead over UALR, and are 3-2-1 all-time when facing the Trojans in Little Rock. Last season, USA battled UALR to a 2-2 tie in Little Rock.
UALR enters the weekend after splitting last weekend’s contests. The Trojans defeated ULM 3-1 Friday on the road, and were shut out 2-0 Sunday at Louisiana-Lafayette.
UALR is led by SBC Preseason Player of the Year Christina Veasley, who leads the team in goals (6) and points (14).
South Alabama goalkeeper Melissa Drish leads the conference in saves (96) and saves per game (6.40). Freshman Linsey Snavely ranks second in the league in assists (7) and assists per game (7).
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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