MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team continues its five-match home stand as they host Morehead State Friday at 7 p.m. at The Cage.

“Morehead State is an ideal match for us as we enter our final week prior to Sun Belt Conference play,” said USA head coach Mike Varga. “Morehead State is an NCAA qualifier from a year ago. They are well coached and have a lot of talented players. We will have to play at a high level to compete with them on Friday night. I hope we can build on what we have done up to this point and learn from mistakes we have made in previous matches.”

South Alabama (7-1) is off to its best start in program history, riding a seven-match win streak into Friday’s bout. USA is undefeated at home this season. The Jags are nationally ranked in won-lost-tied percentage at 12th and scoring offense at 28th.

Most recently, the Jaguars topped Presbyterian (1-0) and Austin Peay (2-1) to win the Port City Classic last weekend in Mobile.

South Alabama is led by senior forward Brandi Smith (Red Oak, Texas) who has recorded a team-high six goals, including four game-winners, and has also added two assists this season.

Smith leads the nation in game-winning goals and she is tied for 26th in total goals.

Defensively, USA is led by sophomore goalkeeper Melissa Drish (Conyers, Ga.) who has tallied 28 saves and helped the Jags to four shutouts this season.

Drish is ranked 24th in goals-against average (0.429) and tied for 30th in save percentage (0.880) in the country.

The Eagles lead the all-time series with the Jaguars 1-0 after winning last season’s matchup 2-1 in Morehead, Ky.

Morehead State (4-2-1) enters the match after tying its last match with Marshall 2-2 in double overtime on Sept. 11 in Huntington, W. Va.

Nine different Morehead State student-athletes have netted goals this year. Brittany Kiracofe leads the Eagles with two goals and three assists.

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).