Game Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – After going 2-1-1 through a recent four-match home stand, including shutout victories over regional foes Alabama State and Southern Mississippi, the University of South Alabama women’s soccer team will conclude the non-conference portion of its 2012 schedule on Friday and Sunday with a hefty round trip to Tennessee and Kentucky to face two Ohio Valley Conference opponents.
 
The Jags (4-3-1) will first trek 493 miles to take on Austin Peay for the weekend’s first tilt, then move east to take on Murray State on Sunday, a mere sixty-six miles away, before heading home to Mobile, a 456-mile haul, making for a round trip spanning 1,015 total.
 
“This weekend was set up to help prepare us as we start conference matches the following weekend,” said head coach Mike Varga. “We play two quality opponents and have to travel in between just like a conference road weekend.”

USA is coming off a three-match unbeaten streak after suffering losses to successive Southeastern Conference opponents, Mississippi State and Alabama. The Jags hosted Alabama State, Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech, beating the former two by 2-0 scorelines and tying Louisiana 1-1 in 110 minutes of play.
 
USA junior forward Kristyn Thacker has provided a spark for the squad since her season appearance versus Alabama State after missing the first six matches of the season while recovering from a hamstring injury. Thacker has scored four of the team’s last five goals, including a double against Southern Miss.
 
Tatum Perry has scored twice this season, and Morgan Motes, Clarissa Hernandez and Madison Rodwell have added one apiece. Hernandez and Motes have also provided two assists each; Perry, Jess Oram, Shawn Meach and Linsey Snavely have one helper each. Keeper Lauren Arnold has made 29 saves this year – fifth-best in the SBC – and recorded three shutouts.
 
South Alabama holds a 2-1-1 advantage versus the Lady Governors (3-4-0, 0-0-0 OVC) all-time, with the most recent result being a 2-1 comeback win for USA in 2011. APSU were dealt a 2-1 season-opening defeat at Arkansas on Aug. 17, with the Razorbacks netting a winner ten minutes from the final whistle. The Lady Govs bounced back five days later, defeating winless UALR 3-1.
 
APSU’s most recent result was a 4-0 loss to Miami (Ohio) last Friday. The Lady Govs are led by forwards Emily Perkins (3 goals, 1 assist) and Andy Quiceno (3 gls.). Keeper Haylee Shoaff has recorded 34 saves this year in 535 minutes of work.
 
Murray State is winless this season through five matches, dropping slim results to Arkansas State (L 0-1) and Indiana State (L 1-2). The Racers will host Alabama A&M (0-6-0, 0-0-0 SWAC) on Friday. Jenny Finke has scored two of the Racers’ four goals on the year, with Meg Hudson and Veronika Pribyslavsk tallying one apiece. Jenelle Cunningham has provided a team-leading two assists.
 
The first and only match played between USA and Murray State occurred in 2005 and ended in a 2-1 double-overtime Jaguar defeat at the Skyhawk Invitational (Martin, Tenn.) in 2005.
 
“My expectations for the weekend are that we continue to play with a lot of energy and clean up some of the technical areas that have created problems for us,” added Varga. “Defensively, we have played pretty well and we have created plenty of quality chances in the attack. I think we will keep improving every day.”
 
Friday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and Sunday’s matchup is scheduled for 1 p.m. Live stats can be accessed by following multimedia links listed on each school’s respective webpages, which are APSUGovernors.com and GoRacers.com. Results from each match will be posted to the Jaguar athletics webpage immediately following the events.
 
Match Notes:

• USA has scored one more goal that Austin Peay this season (12), while both have surrendered 11.
• The Jags have visited Austin Peay only once out of four total meetings, the last of which resulted in a 2-2 double-overtime draw in the teams’ first meeting in 2002.The next two showdowns occurred in tournaments in Orange Beach, Fla., (2003; USA won 1-0) and Troy, Ala., (2010; APSU won 1-0).
• South Alabama has recorded 129 shots this season to Murray State’s 54.

 
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).