MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team will head to Ruston, La. to face Louisiana Tech in its season opener Friday at 4 p.m. before returning home Sunday to take on Southern at 1 p.m. at The Cage.

South Alabama finished the 2010 season at 5-14-1. The Jags return 25 letterwinners from last season’s roster and have added seven newcomers.

Among the returnees is senior Brandi Smith (Oak Leaf, Texas), a 2008 second-team all-Sun Belt Conference selection. She has led the Jags in shots (47) and shots on goal (25) in each of the last three seasons.

“I’m very pleased with the work rate of everybody in the preseason and where we are at this point,” said USA head coach Mike Varga. “There’s a lot of work we still have to do and a lot of things we have to get better at. With only training two weeks before playing this match, I’m comfortable and encouraged with where we are. I think we’re ready to play this weekend.”

The Jaguars lead the all-time series with the Lady Techsters 1-0. The schools last met in 2004 when USA topped Louisiana Tech 2-0.

“We know their field is a little bit smaller because it’s surrounded by a track, so we had to prepare for that,” Varga said. “We usually play on a large field. Other than that, the first match of the season, there’s not much you can do as far as scouting your opponent. We just have to prepare for a lot of different things and be ready to play. Hopefully, we can play well and do well at what we do. That’s what we need to focus on.”

The Lady Techsters returned 10 starters and 15 letterwinners from last season’s 15-6 squad, which finished third in the Western Athletic Conference, including senior Rachel King who led LTU in goals (13), game-winning goals (5), shots (62) and shots on goal (40).

USA will return to Mobile Sunday to take on the Lady Jaguars of Southern University in their home opener at 1 p.m. at The Cage. Sunday’s meeting will be the first time the Jags have ever squared off with Southern.

“It’s always fun to have your first home game,” said Varga. “Hopefully we’ll get a good crowd to come out and support the team. They’ve worked hard. Southern is going to be a good opponent for us. Hopefully we’ll have a good start this weekend with both matches.”

Southern returns 13 letterwinners, including nine starters, from last season’s 1-14-1 team. Southern will field 8
newcomers this year.

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).