Box Score

RUSTON, La. – The University of South Alabama soccer team dropped its season opener to Louisiana Tech, 4-0, Friday afternoon at Lady Techster Soccer Field.

“It’s a very difficult way to start off the season,” said USA head coach Mike Varga. “I think we’ll bounce back and play a good match on Sunday. The big thing was we allowed them to affect our game more than Louisiana Tech allowed us to affect their game. We made multiple mistakes, and they capitalized by scoring goals; that’s really what it came down to.”

The Jags return to action Sunday in their home opener against Southern University at 1 p.m. at The Cage.

Abby Sentz scored the first two Lady Techster goals of the afternoon. Taylor Dennis and Brittany Coffinbargar added the other two Louisiana Tech goals late in the second half.

Sentz netted a rebound off of a shot by Scotti Culton 40 minutes into the match to put the Lady Techsters on the board. At the 49-minute mark, she scored off of a cross from Olivia Lukasewich.

Dennis chipped a shot over South Alabama goalkeeper Melissa Drish’s head just after picking up the first yellow card of the match to give Tech a 3-0 lead 74 minutes in.  Coffinbargar’s goal came just eight seconds before the end of play off an assist from Dennis.

The Lady Techsters outshot the Jaguars 16-10. Seniors Brandi Smith and Kristin Sutton led USA with two shots a piece.

Louisiana Tech goalkeeper Caitlin Updyke picked up the win recording three saves to preserve the shutout.

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).