MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team continues Sun Belt Conference action this weekend when it returns to The Cage to take on Middle Tennessee Thursday, and travels to Western Kentucky Sunday afternoon in their final regular season road match.

“This will be the first time that we have had a split conference weekend where we play a home match and an away match in the same weekend,” USA head soccer coach Mike Varga said. “Middle Tennessee is a veteran team that knows how to win.  They have many talented players and are well-organized and well-coached.  We will need to come out with a lot of energy and stick to our game plan to be successful.

“Thursday night is also our pink match and we take great pride that we are going to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.  We are looking forward to a big crowd at the match, and will feed off of their excitement.”

USA (4-12-1, 2-6) enters the weekend looking to snap a five-game winless streak. The Jaguars are led by Kristyn Thacker and Kasey Crowe, who lead the team with five goals apiece. On the opposite end of the field, freshman goalkeeper Melissa Drish leads the team in saves (104) and saves per game (6.12).

The Jags are 6-6-1 all-time against MTSU, and hold a 4-2-1 all-time series lead over the Blue Raiders at The Cage. USA dropped a 3-2 decision to the Blue Raiders last season at the Cage.

MTSU (9-8, 6-2) enters the weekend on a three-game win streak. The Blue Raiders shut out Louisiana-Lafayette 4-0 on Friday, and defeated Louisiana-Monroe 4-0 Sunday afternoon. Vanessa Mueggler leads the team in goals (11), assists (7), points (29), shots (55) and shots on goal (29). She also leads the conference in points (18), points per game (2.25), goals (6) and goals per game (0.62).

The Blue Raiders are ranked second in the league in shots (128), points (58), goals (19), goals per game (2.38), assists (2.50) and assists per game (2.50).  

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, USA will wear pink jerseys in Thursday’s match. There will be pink t-shirts for sale and a silent auction featuring pink jerseys and pink soccer balls signed by the entire team, with proceeds going to charity partners of WeAreSoccer.com “Kick for the Cure.”

On Sunday, the Jaguars travel to Bowling Green, Ky.,to take on WKU.

“Western Kentucky is another well-organized team with many good athletes that play well together.  They have some threatening players in the attack and are always a hard working team.  Collectively, they defend as well as any team in the conference and we will have to all be on the same page on Sunday in order to have success against them.”

USA is 3-9-0 all-time against Western Ky., and has not defeated the Hilltoppers since 2005. Last season, the Jags fell to WKU 2-0 at The Cage.

WKU (8-5-2, 6-2) enters the weekend on a three-game win streak. The Hilltoppers shut out Louisiana Monroe 5-0 on Friday and defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 1-0 Sunday at home. WKU is 3-1 at home this season in SBC matches.

WKU is led by preseason all-SBC player Mallory Outerbridge, who leads the offense in goals (7), points (18), shots (39) and shots on goal (24).  Defensively, the Hilltoppers are led by Libby Stout, who has recorded 55 saves and a 0.95 goals against average. Stout leads the SBC in shutouts (5) and shutouts per game (0.62).

A web stream for Thursday’s match against MTSU is available here.

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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