MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama soccer will host Alabama State in its home opener Friday at The Cage. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

South Alabama (0-2-0) will face the Hornets for just the second time in the program’s history. In their first and only previous meeting in 2005, the Jaguars earned an 11-0 win over ASU in Mobile.

The Jaguars rank third in the Sun Belt Conference in shots (28) and saves (8) through the first week of the season. Brandi Smith leads USA with eight shots and is tied with Linsey Snavely for the team lead in shots on goal with three. Melissa Drish leads the Jaguars in saves with seven.

“The team is anxious to get back on the field again after a disappointing opening weekend,” Jaguar head coach Mike Varga said. “Even though we made mistakes last weekend that cost us goals, I saw signs that were promising as well. This group has a lot of potential and a great mental approach. It will be nice to be home and play in front of our home crowd.”

Alabama State (0-1-0) fell to Wofford 6-0 last weekend in its season opener to extend its losing streak to 18 games dating back to 2008. The Hornets have lost 47 of their last 48 matches dating back to 2007, and have been winless two of the last three seasons. 

ASU returns 10 starters from a squad that finished 0-16 last season and was outscored 156-6 by its opponents. ASU forward Danielle Miller returns to lead the Hornets offensively after scoring five of the team’s six goals last season.

The Hornets fell to Wofford 6-0 in their season opener in Montgomery on Sunday. Wofford recorded two first-half goals and scored four times in the second period en route to the win.

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).

- USA -

NOTES: South Alabama is 7-8-1 all-time in home openers … The Jaguars are 11-10 all-time and 6-3 at home all-time in the month of August … Friday’s match will mark just the second time the Jaguars have hosted a SWAC school in their home opener … USA defeated Mississippi Valley State 5-0 in its home opener in 2007.