MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team kicks off Sun Belt Conference action this weekend at The Cage when they host Louisiana at Lafayette Friday at 7 p.m. and Louisiana at Monroe Sunday at 1 p.m.

“Both Louisiana at Lafayette and Louisiana at Monroe have done well in their non-conference schedules, and both matches will be hard fought conference matchups,” said USA head coach Mark Varga. “We need to stay disciplined and stay within what we do, and I am confident that this team can compete with anyone on our schedule.”

The Jags (7-1-1) remained unbeaten at home after their last match with Morehead State on Sept. 16 ended in a 2-2 draw.

“Part one of our season is over and I am pleased with our non-conference portion,” Varga said. “Now the real season begins. We have worked hard, gotten better from week to week and I like where we are right now. It is always nice to start the conference season at home in front of what has been a very supportive crowd this year.”

USA is led by senior forwards Brandi Smith (Red Oak, Texas) and Landi Wilson (Cincinnati, Ohio). Smith has netted a team-high seven goals this season and two assists while Wilson has tallied five goals on the year.

Defensively, Jaguar goalkeeper Melissa Drish leads the SBC in shutouts with four, and has recorded 824 minutes in the net.

South Alabama leads the all-time series with the Ragin’ Cajuns 5-3-3. Last season ULL topped the Jags 2-0 in Lafayette, La.

ULL enters the weekend at 4-4-1 after falling to Nicholls State 2-1 on Sept. 18 in Thibodaux, La. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 1-2 on the road this season, with their only win coming at Mississippis Valley State on Sept. 9.

Louisiana at Lafayette’s top performer is Kayla Henrie who has scored three goals on the season. Henrie has also added one assist.

The Jags have never lost a match to ULM. The all-time series stands at 7-0 after USA shut out the Warhawks 4-0 last season in Monroe, La.

The Warhawks (5-3-1) most recently downed Mississippi Valley State 2-1 at home. ULM will take on Troy Friday before heading to Mobile to square off with the Jaguars Sunday.

Alyssa Wooden and Taylor Bonetti lead Louisiana at Monroe this season. Wooden has recorded five goals and one assist while Bonetti has added four 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).

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