USA vs. UALR box score

MOBILE, Ala. – Three different University of South Alabama soccer student-athletes scored in the Jaguars 3-1 victory over Sun Belt Conference foe Arkansas-Little Rock Sunday afternoon at The Cage.

With the win, South Alabama remains unbeaten at home and advances to 11-3-2 overall and 4-2-1 in the SBC. UALR is now 7-10 on the year and 3-5 in conference play.

“We came out and started a little bit stronger today,” said USA head coach Mike Varga. “There’s a lot of emotion when you’re playing on senior day. Sometimes it can be a distraction, but I felt like we came out focused. We played a good, full match today.”

Senior forward Brandi Smith (Red Oak, Texas), sophomore defender Shelby Owen (Trussville, Ala.) and sophomore midfielder Linsey Snavely (Hayes, Va.) each netted a goal for the Jags on senior day.

Owen put the Jags on the board in the 22nd minute knocking a corner kick from Snavely into the back of the net for her second goal of the season.

“The first goal of the day was a great corner kick, and a great finish by Shelby, one of our defenders who says she’s not a goal scorer,” Varga said. “She can get out there and be dangerous on corners.”

Four minutes into the second half, Snavely drove home a pass from sophomore midfielder Morgan Motes (Birmingham, Ala.) giving USA the 2-0 lead.

“We made some changes again at halftime,” said Varga. “We got the ball to Morgan. She found Linsey who brought it down and made a good finish. She was very composed in the box. She’s been doing a lot of positive things for us that don’t show up in the stats so it was good to see her get a goal today.”

The Trojans answered in the 53rd minute when a cross from Betsy Blackwood found the head of Alyson Rohane who drilled it in making the score 2-1.

Smith sealed the deal for South Alabama in the 77th minute of play when she scored her team-high 11th goal of the season.

USA goalkeeper sophomore Melissa Drish (Conyers, Ga.) made 10 saves to preserve the Jaguars’ 11th win of the season.   

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).