MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team returns to action this weekend when they travel to compete in the Troy Tournament. The Jags look to even their record Friday when they take on Austin Peay at noon at the Trojan Soccer Complex.
USA (1-2-0) enters the weekend after defeating Alabama State 6-1 last Friday in its home opener. Freshman Kristyn Thacker led the team in the victory with two goals.
“This weekend will be a real challenge for us,” USA head coach Mike Varga said. “Austin Peay is playing very well right now. They have been dominating so far this season by winning all of their matches and not conceding a goal on the year.”
The Jaguars are 1-0-1 all-time against Austin Peay. The last time the schools met was in September 2003, when USA defeated the Lady Govs 1-0.
APU (4-0-0) is on a four-game win streak with wins over Virginia Military Institute, Lipscomb, Chattanooga and Western Illinois.
The Lady Govs are led by Emily Kink who leads the team in goals (3), points (8), shots (18) and shots on goal (13). Goalkeepers Haylee Shoaff and Carley Newman have not allowed a goal all season.
The Jags will close the tournament Sunday afternoon with a noon matchup against Mississippi State, its second Southeastern Conference opponent of the season.
MSU has a 4-2-0 series lead after defeating the Jaguars last season at The Cage. The Jags’ last win over the Bulldogs came on Sept. 23, 2001, in a 2-1 double-overtime match in Mobile.
USA enters the match with an all-time record of 9-31-0 against SEC opponents. The Jags have dropped 12 consecutive matches to SEC schools, and have not defeated a SEC school since its 2001 win over MSU.
“Our Sunday opponent, Mississippi State, will be a difficult matchup for us as well,” said Varga. “They have also had a good start to the season. Like the rest of our nonconference schedule, this weekend will continue to prepare us for a tough Sun Belt Conference schedule that begins in just a few weeks.”
The Bulldogs (2-1-0) fell to UAB 3-0 Friday in their home opener, and knocked off Southern Miss 3-0 Sunday. MSU is led by Madison McKee and Elisabeth Sutton. Mckee leads the team in goals (2), and is tied with Sutton with team lead in points (4).
Video streaming for this weekend’s tournament will be 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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