MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women’s soccer team scored three second-half goals on Saturday night to defeat the USA alumni squad 3-1 in the Jags’ unofficial season opener at The Cage.
 
Three different Jaguars scored goals in the match for a team that outshot its opponent 31-9. The Jaguars maintained an advantage throughout the match, but failed to convert several wide-open chances against an active alumni team.
 
“We got a little sloppy at times,” said head coach Mike Varga. “Part of that is from preseason (training). It was a good challenge tonight. A lot of alumni came back; there were good players who maybe aren’t as good as they once were, but are a little smarter. They played well and it was good for us.”
 
After going into halftime knotted at zero, it took South Alabama only 10 minutes of second-half action to find the back of the net, with defender Shelby Owen slotting home a low-driven ball from freshman Anne Baumhower, who controlled a corner from Clarissa Hernandez at the top of the penalty area.
 
Hernandez struck again shortly after, cleaning up a fight for possession in the Jags’ final third by netting a 20-yard knuckler into the far post and doubling the Jaguar lead.
 
“It was a good finish from Clarissa,” Varga explained. “She is a very smart, technical player that will create many scoring opportunities for us this year.”
 
In the 17^th minute, the alumni team made its way onto the scoreboard via a converted penalty kick from Tracey Russ to make the score 2-1 after an alumni player was brought down in the box.
 
Senior Natalie Parsons capped the scoreline for the Jaguars with four minutes remaining, finessing home a ground pass from winger Lizzie Goldsmith, who beat multiple defenders down the bleacher-side flank to reach Parsons from the endline.
 
The Jags now have less than a week to prepare for the official 2012 season opener at home versus Nicholls State on Friday at 7 p.m.
 
“We’re going to have to back off a little (in training) and get our legs back under us a bit more so we can be fresh and ready Friday,” Varga said.
 
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).