MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team was named co-champions of the Port City Classic after tying Georgia State ,1-1, in the tournament's final game Sunday afternoon at The Cage.
“We came so close to winning," USA head coach Mike Varga said. "We hit the post two times in the last couple of minutes of overtime but could not score. It was a pretty even match so it was a fair result to tie, even though we would have liked to win. I give the team a lot of credit. They battled through the heat and came back from one goal down to even the score.”
Georgia State (2-3-1) jumped out to an early lead when Erinique Owens scored on an assist from Apryl Goodwin in the 39th minute.
The Jags (2-4-1) outshot the Panthers 7-1 in the first half but could not manage to find the goal.
Senior Kasey Crowe scored from the top of the box on an assist from Linsey Snavely in the 64th minute to tie the game.
The two squads would then go into a defensive stand off that would take both schools into double overtime.
USA had two opportunities to score in the second overtime on shots by Brandi Smith and Snavely that bounced off the crossbar.
Melissa Drish had nine saves in the contest for the Jaguars, while Heidi Blankenship and Kellianne Collins combined for seven saves.
Eleven players were recognized for their play throughout the tournament by the coaches of the four teams involved. Drish and Snavely of South Alabama were named the Most Outstanding Players of the tournament. They were joined by teammates Landi Wilson and Liz Clark. Patricia Mallory and Kelsi Brown of Sam Houston State, Ruth Sutcliffe, Mary Moris and Ashley Branhem of Troy, as well as Bria Cagle, and Kaila Muecke of Georgia State were all named to the all-tournament team.
Troy University shared the tournament title with Jags after tying with Sam Houston State 1-1.
The Jags return to action Friday when they take on Morehead State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Morehead, KY.
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).
Notes: Kasey Crowe scored her second goal of the season… USA moved to 2-2-1 all-time against Georgia State and 1-1-1 against the Panthers at home. Goalkeeper Melissa Drish was one save away from tying her season-high total of 10 saves.
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