Mobile, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team returns to action this weekend when it hosts the Port City Classic, Sept. 10-12 at The Cage.
The Jags take on Sam Houston State Friday night at 7 p.m., and close the tournament Sunday afternoon with a 2:30 p.m. match up against Georgia State.
“We are all looking forward to being back at home for the weekend and playing in front of friends and family,” Jaguar head coach Mike Varga said. “The quality of teams in the tournament this year is very high and should be a good weekend of soccer.”
“Sam Houston just beat North Texas and will be a tough match on Friday. Georgia State always has a good team and is very well coached. I am confident that we will fix the problems we have had and will improve on what we have done well, so I am anxious to get back on the field this weekend as is the rest of the team.”
USA (1-4-0) enters Fridays match with a 0-1-0 all-time record against the Bearkats. The last time the schools met was in 2008 when SHS defeated the Jaguars 3-0. South Alabama is 1-0 at The Cage this season.
SHS (2-4-0) is on a two-game win streak defeating North Texas, 1-0, last Friday in their home opener, and Texas Southern, 2-0, Sunday in Denton, TX.
The Bearkats are led by Tricia Mallory who holds the team lead in goals (2), assists (2), and points (6). SHS enters the tournament with a 1-4 record on the road, falling to its first four opponents. Sam Houston has been outscored by opponents 10-4 this season.
On Sunday, the Jags take on Georgia State in the tournament’s final match. USA is 2-2-0 all-time against Georgia State, and 1-1 against the Panthers at home. GSU won last season’s contest, 3-1, at home. The Jags’ last win over the Panthers came in 1995, when USA won 3-1 at Georgia State. The Panthers are 2-0 in road games this season after defeating Jacksonville State, 3-2, and Georgia Southern 3-0.
GSU (3-1-0) is led by Sarah Bennett, who leads the team in goals (3), points (6), shots (11) and shots on goal (6).
Troy State (2-2-0) is also scheduled to participate in this weekend’s Port City classic.
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: Six different Jaguars have scored this season including freshman Kristin Thacker, who leads the team with two goals. Goalkeeper Melissa Drish had a game-high 10 saves against Austin Peay last Friday ranking her fourth on the Jaguar single-game records list, in only her fourth collegiate match.Morganne Grimes and Leanna Baldner of Mississippi State were among those named the Most Outstanding Players of the Tournament. They were joined by Mary Morris and Ruth Sutcliffe of Troy, Tatiana Ariza and Jocelyn Murdoch of Austin Peay, as well as Jessica Oram of South Alabama.
—USA—
Port City Classic
Fri., Sept. 10
Georgia State vs. Troy (4 p.m.)
South Alabama vs. Sam Houston (7 p.m.)
Sun., Sept. 12
Sam Houston vs. Troy (noon)
South Alabama vs. Georgia State (2:30 p.m.)
