2012 Mississippi Valley State Quick Facts

2012 Mississippi State Quick Facts

MOBILE, Ala. – After allowing only a goal apiece in a win over Nicholls State and a loss to Mercer last weekend – the fewest total since 2007 – the University of South Alabama women’s soccer team will look to complement its defensive prowess with scoring opportunities this weekend as it travels to the Bulldog Classic, hosted by Mississippi State.
 
The Jags (1-1-0) are scheduled to take on Mississippi Valley State at 4 p.m. on Friday and the host-Bulldogs on Sunday at 2 p.m., with both matches taking place at MSU Soccer Field in Starkville, Miss.
 
In front of over 250 fans at The Cage last Friday, South Alabama weathered a physical Nicholls State (1-1-0) team and broke a 0-0 deadlock five minutes into the second half when junior midfielder Clarissa Hernandez split defenders with a firm pass to freshman forward Jordan Duncan, who received the ball just in time to be brought down by a Lady Colonel inside the penalty area.
 
Hernandez calmly stroked her fourth career penalty kick home to give the Jags a 1-0 advantage.
 
Seven minutes later, a similar circumstance occurred across the field and USA goalkeeper Lauren Arnold caught the heel of a Lady Colonel enough to prompt the referee to award a penalty for the visitors. Nicholls State’s Jess Coates then tied scoring at 1-1 from the spot.
 
2011 Jaguar starting right back Tatum Perry, who has been given a starting nod on the wing in both games this season given her ability to contribute offensively, took a back pass on the touch line and hung a weighted ball directly over the head of Lady Colonel keeper Amanda Boylson’s head, putting the Jags up 2-1. USA held Nicholls State to three shots after Perry’s goal, with Arnold saving two of them to give her a game-high six saves.
 
On Sunday, the Jags traveled to Macon, Ga., to face the Mercer Bears (1-0-1), who were coming off a 1-1 double-overtime draw with Southern Mississippi on Friday. USA started the first half slowly, but was able to keep the game scoreless despite being outshot 9-1 in the first half. After going down a goal in the 52^nd minute, the Jags showed an offensive spark, but were unable to get an equalizer out of five late shots. Arnold saved eight shots on the day, bringing her two-game total to 14, tied for second-best in the Sun Belt Conference.
 
USA head coach Mike Varga said that he and his coaching staff are still testing the waters to find the best mix of student-athletes to field.
 
“It’s early in the season and it takes some time to find out how certain players fit together in play,” he explained. “It was good for us to get an opening win, but our play was still a bit sloppy. We are going to get better; these players have shown some resiliency already and we are going to be prepared to play this weekend.”
 
MVSU (0-0) will be competing in its first match of the season on Friday. The Devilettes finished 6-9-4 last season, losing to Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference finals. USA is 3-0 versus MVSU all-time and has outscored the team 15-2 in previous meetings.
 
Mississippi State owns a 5-2 all-time advantage versus the Jaguars. The Bulldogs won their opener against Southeast-Louisiana 2-1 last Friday thanks to goals from two newcomers. MSU finished 6-10-3 overall last season for fifth in the West division of the Southeastern Conference. The host team is also returning 10 starters.
 
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).