Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – Threatening throughout, but finding it difficult to break down a physical Nicholls State defense at The Cage Friday night, a converted penalty kick in the 50^th minute gave the University of South Alabama women’s soccer team the belief it needed to roll on to a 2-1 victory.
 
The Jaguars (1-0-0) were tested early by the physicality of the Lady Colonels (0-1-0), who almost doubled USA’s final foul count.
 
“We played a little uptight in the first half because of how physical they were,” said head coach Mike Varga. “We didn’t get a goal in the first half to keep them from defending hard. In the second half we calmed down and started playing better.”
 
Less than five minutes into the first half, USA found its way through when freshman forward Jordan Duncan was brought down in the Nicholls State penalty box after slicing through the visiting team’s defense. Junior Clarissa Hernandez scored from the spot to put the Jags up 1-0.
 
In the 57^th minute, a scramble in the South Alabama final third led to a Lady Colonel penalty try. Nicholls State’s Jess Coates tied scoring at 1-1 with a driven shot to USA keeper Lauren Arnold’s left.
 
Eight minutes later, Jaguar junior midfielder Tatum Perry scored the game-winning shot by chipping Lady Colonel goalkeeper Amanda Boylson from just inside the touchline about 35 yards out.
 
Varga credited his team for staying in the game, and he also commented on the standout performance by Duncan.
 
“Jordan played a little nervous in the first half, but really settled in in the second,” Varga explained. “She created the penalty for us by making a good run with the ball. We expect our leaders to do a lot more of that. Alyssa (Mayer) and Alli Cochran provided sparks off the bench for us, also. It takes some time to settle in to the college game, but it’s good for them to be surrounded by the veterans we have.”
 
The Lady Jags will hold an 8 a.m. practice on Saturday morning before heading to Macon, Ga.,to take on the Mercer Bears.
 
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).