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2012 FIU Quick Facts

2012 Florida Atlantic Quick Facts

MOBILE, Ala. – After winning three of its last five matches to exhaust the non-conference portion of its 2012 agenda, the University of South Alabama women’s soccer team will commence Sun Belt Conference play on Friday and Sunday, as the Jaguars welcome FIU and Florida-Atlantic.
 
South Alabama (5-4-1, 0-0-0 SBC) is coming off a split weekend that proved an edgy ordeal for the team, as overtime goals decided each. On Friday, USA junior defender Jess Oram chested in an Alyssa Mayer corner kick with five minutes of extra time remaining to secure a 1-0 win over Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tenn., but the Jags found themselves on the back side of Sunday’s tilt at Murray State, giving up the game’s only goal to MSU’s Taylor Stevens with 1.3 seconds of additional time left.
 
“We had some ups and downs in the non-conference portion of the schedule,” said head coach Mike Varga. “The important thing is that we got better.  We made mistakes and learned from them and we learned what we do well and have gotten better at that as well.”
 
A game ahead of all Sun Belt opponents, save for Troy, USA currently leads the league in shots (163) and is tied for first with four others in shutouts (4). Junior forward Kristyn Thacker paces the team in points (8) after breathing life into the squad following consecutive shutout losses to Southeastern Conference opponents Mississippi State and Alabama. The Ellenwood, Ga., native netted four goals in her first three matches of the season, including game-winners over Alabama State and Southern Miss. Thacker’s goal against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 9 put USA ahead inside the 80-minute mark, shortly before the Lady Techsters equalized.
 
Tatum Perry still follows in points (5) on two goals and an assist this year, and midfielders Clarissa Hernandez and Morgan Motes have recorded a goal and two assists apiece.
 
Defending Sun Belt Conference champion FIU owns the all-time series with South Alabama, 7-6, and the Panthers have won four straight dating back to 2008. FIU is led by SBC Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year, Chelsea Leiva, who currently tops the league in shots (31) and shots per game (3.88), while also sharing the third-best goal total (4). Panther netminder Kaitlyn Savage leads the Sun Belt in saves (51) and is tied with USA’s Lauren Arnold in shutouts (3). Freshman midfielder Madlen Weinhardt is tied for third in assists (4) in league standings.
 
The Panthers are 3-4-1 (0-0-0, SBC) on the year with wins over Stetson (4-0), Jacksonville (2-1) and Idaho (6-0). FIU’s lone draw came earlier this month in a scoreless draw versus LSU in Baton Rouge, La. The squad has held its opponents to only 10 goals through eight matches, second-best in the SBC. The Panthers will complete a move to Conference-USA in 2013.
 
“FIU is a talented team that is one of the teams to beat in the conference,” Varga said. “I hate that this is their last season in the league because we have had some great matches with them over the past 12 years that the Sun Belt has sponsored women's soccer.” 
 
Florida-Atlantic is 2-5 this season and will open conference play at Troy on Friday. The Owls have recorded wins over Wisconsin-Green Bay (2-1) and UAB (4-3), and are led by freshman midfielder Claire Emslie, who recorded a hat trick against the Blazers last Sunday.
 
Kickoff for Friday’s match is set for 7 p.m., and Sunday’s match is slated for 1 p.m. 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.
 
“We have had some great crowds this year and I hope this weekend won't be any different,” added Varga.  “There is extra energy you get from your crowd, so I am hopeful that we continue to have the support of the local soccer community and the energetic South Alabama student body in full force for the remainder of our schedule.”
 
Friday is FREE hot dog night compliments of USA Athletic Marketing. Hot dogs will be available on a first come, first serve basis from 6-7:30 p.m.
 
Match Notes:

• The last time South Alabama beat FIU at The Cage was in 2007, a 1-0 double-overtime defeat. 2007 was also the last time the SBC Championships were held in Mobile.
• The Jaguars are 4-4 at home versus FIU, dating back to the premier showdown between the schools in 1999.
• USA and Florida Atlantic played to a 1-1 double-overtime draw in 2011 in Boca Raton, Fla.
• South Alabama is 2-1-1 against FAU in Mobile.
• USA’s Oram was named SBC Defensive Player of the Week for her performances last weekend.
• FIU was picked to finish atop the conference in the preseason poll (114 points), while USA was predicted to finish fifth.
• Of South Alabama’s 10 goals this season, its lowest total since 2009, nine of them have come after halftime.
• The Lady Jag defense has allowed only two goals in the past five matches.
• USA is currently fourth in the SBC in home attendance.

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).