MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team looks to extend a 10-match unbeaten streak when they travel to Florida this weekend to face Sun Belt Conference foes Florida Atlantic and Florida International.

The Jaguars will square off with the Owls Friday at 7 p.m. at the FAU Soccer Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. before heading to Miami to take on the Panthers at the FIU Soccer Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m.

“We know we have two difficult matches in south Florida,” said USA head coach Mike Varga. “We made some mistakes last week and we will work on getting those fixed as we get ready for the weekend. This group has worked very hard all season. I don't anticipate anything different this week and over the weekend. We will be ready to give FAU and FIU our best shot, which will be necessary against two very talented, well coached teams.”

The Jags are off to the best start in program history standing at 9-1-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play. USA has not opened SBC play at 2-0 since the 2008 season.

The Jaguars are also ranked 31st in the county in scoring offense which 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 is ranked seventh in the nation in game-winning goals with four. She has also added three assists. Smith leads the conference in shots (50), shots per game (4.55) and game-winning goals.

Wilson has tallied five goals on the year for a total of 10 points.

This season, Jaguar goalkeeper Melissa Drish (Conyers, Ga.) has recorded 48 saves to preserve a career-high five shutouts. Drish is ranked first in the SBC in goals against average (0.59) and shutouts, and second in save percentage (.875).

Florida Atlantic leads the all-time series with South Alabama 4-2-1. Last season, USA topped FAU 4-3 in overtime at The Cage.

The Owls (4-5, 0-2 SBC) enter the weekend looking for their first conference win. All four Florida Atlantic wins this season have come at home. Most recently, FAU was defeated by
Arkansas-Little Rock 4-1 in Little Rock, Ark. on Sept. 25.

Jesse Shugg has scored a team-high four goals for the Owls this season while Allison Griffin has netted three.

Brittney Nash leads FAU in points with nine after recording two goals and five assists on the year.

USA’s all-time series with FIU is tied at 7-7 after the Panthers edged the Jags 1-0 last season at The Cage.

FIU (5-5, 2-0 SBC) will host Troy Friday night before their bout with South Alabama on Sunday. In their last outing, Florida International edged Arkansas State 2-1 in overtime on Sept. 25 in Jonesboro, Ark.

The Panthers’ top performers are Kelly Hutchinson and Ashleigh Shim. Hutchinson has put up three goals and two assists this year while Shim has added two goals and two 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).