Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – Both teams showed sparks of offensive flair, but neither could capitalize in the final third on Sunday as the University of South Alabama women’s soccer team drew 0-0 with Arkansas State at The Cage.
 
Despite creating more chances throughout the double-overtime stalemate, 22-20, the Jaguars (7-6-2, 2-2-1 SBC) were always searching for the final pass, causing the squad to settle for several shots from distance in the first half. The introduction of USA freshman Alyssa Mayer in the 74^th minute, however, inspired an offensive episode for the home team.
 
Mayer’s speed deceived the Red Wolves’ defense on multiple occasions, as the Birmingham, Ala., native cruised up and down the left flank, effectively giving the Jaguars a way through the ASU backline, which had previously been a struggle for the club.
 
Three successive corner kicks, each followed by a Jaguar shot, occurred thereafter with the ASU defense producing timely deflections on two of them. USA’s Madison Rodwell and Tatum Perry each tested the visitors with shots requiring saves to end regulation. USA controlled both the shot count and corner kick count in the second half, 11-7 and 5-0, respectively.
 
USA outshot the Red Wolves 3-2 in each overtime period, with Jaguar freshman midfielder Alli Cochran producing three late chances, but neither team could break through.
 
“It was probably a fair result with how we played today,” said USA head coach Mike Varga. “It’s disappointing; with the attacking style of play we had on Friday, we didn’t play as I’d wanted us to today. We were a little sloppy in the final third, but we’ll take the point and move forward.”
 
Cochran and Perry led the home team with four shots apiece for a Jaguar team that put 13 shots on frame, forcing ASU keeper Aja Aguirre into six saves. USA’s Melissa Drish preserved her second consecutive shutout with four saves. South Alabama has now recorded seven total shutouts this season.
 
USA doubled Arkansas State in corners, 8-4.
 
The Jaguars will hit the road for four consecutive matches before hosting Troy on Oct. 26 to end the regular season. Next weekend, USA will face Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee, both currently ranked in the league’s top three.
 
South Alabama is 4-9 all-time versus WKU and 6-7-2 all-time versus MTSU.
 
“We know we have a tough stretch, but the student-athletes are on Fall break now, so we’re going to do what we need to get our bodies right and be ready for next weekend,” added Varga.
 
Kickoff for Friday’s match is 6 p.m. and Sunday’s match is slated for 1 p.m. Results from each match will be posted to the Jaguar athletics webpage immediately following.
 
 

Match: USA vs. Arkansas State
Date: October 7, 2012
Competition: Regular season, Sun Belt Conference   
Venue: The Cage (Mobile, Ala.)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. CT
Attendance: 200
Weather: 72 degrees, sunny
Scoring Summary: 1   2   OT1  OT2  F
USA                         0   0   0       0       0
ASU                        0   0   0       0       0

Starting Lineups:
USA : 13-Melissa Drish (GK); 5-Nini Rabsatt-Smith; 10-Clarissa Hernandez; 11-Alli Cochran; 9-Linsey Snavely; 16-Emi Passini; 12-Madison Rodwell; 20-Tatum Perry; 22-Shelby Owen; 23-Morgan Motes; 24-Jess Oram
Head Coach: Mike Varga

ASU : 00-Aja Aguirre (GK); 3-Katie Hosea; 5-Ashley Jackson; 7-Jena’ Kelley; 8-Lindsay Johansen; 9-Madison Joyce;13-Christine Giles; 17-Ashley McMurtry; 18-Katey Carmichael; 21-Jenna Duerst; 25-Christina Fink
Head coach: Tafadzwa Ziyenge

Stats Summary: USA / ASU
Shots: 22 / 20
Shots on Goal: 13 / 9
Saves: 9 / 13
Corner Kicks: 8 / 4

Misconduct Summary:
ASU – Jena Duerst – Yellow Card – 106^th minute

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).