2012 Alabama Quick Facts

2012 Alabama State Quick Facts

Live Stats

MOBILE, Ala. – Despite several distractions surrounding the recent weather events, the University of South Alabama women’s soccer team will be prepared to play on Friday versus Alabama, says head coach Mike Varga.
 
The Jaguars (2-2-0) will host the Crimson Tide (3-0-0) at The Cage on Friday - should the weather conditions be compatible - and Alabama State (2-1-0) on Tuesday. Kickoff for both matches is set for 7 p.m.
 
“It’s been quite a week as far as scheduling goes,” Varga said. “Our focus has been on being flexible because of the weather conditions and other distractions. We had to switch off days and train on Monday instead of taking a day off after Sunday’s game, but our team will be ready for a quality opponent in Alabama on Friday.”
 
The Jags are coming off a second 1-1 weekend to open the 2012 campaign. Through four games, the Jags are an even .500, recording wins versus Nicholls State (2-1; Aug. 17; Mobile, Ala.) and Mississippi Valley State (2-0; Aug. 24; Starkville, Miss.) and losses against Mercer (0-1; Aug. 19; Macon, Ga.) and Mississippi State (0-5; Aug. 26; Starkville, Miss.).
 
Junior midfielders Tatum Perry and Clarissa Hernandez lead the team in points with four markers apiece. Perry scored the game-winning goal versus Nicholls State with a chip shot from distance to put the Jags ahead 2-1 and she also scored the second goal in USA’s 2-0 defeat of MVSU. Hernandez scored the first goal versus Nicholls from the penalty spot and assisted both goals versus MVSU. Her two assists currently tie for second-most in the Sun Belt Conference.
 
South Alabama goalkeeper Lauren Arnold has recorded 15 saves and one shutout in 329 minutes of work. Her 3.75 saves-per-game average is third-best in the Sun Belt Conference. Her lone shutout came versus MVSU, a match in which the Jags held the opposition to no shots, a feat that hadn’t occurred in a decade.
 
Alabama holds a 6-1 all-time record against the Jaguars, with USA’s last victory coming in 1995 (1-0). The Tide’s Theresa Diederich and Katie Bourgeois each lead Alabama in points with four. Both have combined to score four goals this season. Meghan Duffy leads in assists with two.
 
Through three games, Alabama has allowed only one goal, which came in a 2-1 win over Samford. Alabama also dispatched Kennesaw State, 1-0, and UAB, 4-0.
 
Alabama State is currently 1-1-0 after defeating Tennessee-Chattanooga, 1-0. The Lady Hornets dropped their season opener to Troy 5-3. Anastasia McCleary and India Pleasant lead ASU with two goals apiece. Before facing the Jaguars, ASU will take on Francis Marion on Friday and South Carolina State on Sunday.
 
Kickoff for both upcoming matches is set for 7 p.m. at The Cage. All home soccer matches throughout the season will be free to all attendees. The Cage is located on Old Shell Road just east of Stanky Field.
 
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).