MOBILE, Ala. – Sun Belt Conference-leading Western Kentucky stole a goal against the run of play in the second half on Sunday to down University of South Alabama women's soccer, 1-0, on Sunday at The Cage.
 
Lauren Moats deposited Kelly Phipps's cross from the endline in the 68^th minute on a counter attack that the Jaguars could not recover against. USA ramped up its intensity after the break following a stalemate first half.
 
South Alabama (10-4-2, 3-1-1 SBC) answered the goal with seven shots to the Hilltoppers' two, spending the majority of remaining regulation in the visitors' half, but the hosts could not produce an equalizer, dropping their first home match and league match of the season.
 
"I thought we edged it in the second half; we had the better chances, but Western Kentucky was very well-organized defensively. Their defenders deserve a lot of credit," said USA head coach Graham Winkworth. "Our girls, though, have played with the team picked to finish first in the conference, and we hope we have the opportunity to see this team later in the season and, hopefully, do ourselves proud again."
 
USA outshot WKU (7-3-4, 5-0-0 SBC), 15-11, in the match and 11-6 in the second period. Clarissa Hernandez, Lauren Allison and Alyssa Mayer each produced three shots to lead the Jaguars offensively. Monique Autmon managed South Alabama's best chance of the day when her half-volleyed header crept just over the crossbar in the first half.
 
Jaguar keeper Melissa Drish made three saves on the day and contributed greatly to USA's attack in the second half, forcing WKU's defense to track back on punts that caught a steady second-half breeze.
 
South Alabama will look to take advantage of an off Friday before traveling to Troy to face the Trojans next Sunday.

 
Match: USA (10-4-2, 3-1-1 SBC) vs. Western Kentucky (7-3-4, 5-0-0 SBC)
Date: October 13, 2013
Competition: Regular season, Sun Belt Conference
Venue: The Cage (Mobile, Alaa.)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Attendance: 127
Weather: 82 degrees, partly cloudy
Scoring Summary:   1   2   F
WKU                            0   1   1
USA                              0   0   0

WKU – Lauren Moats (Kelly Phipps) – 68^th minute

Starting Lineups:
USA : 13-Melissa Drish (GK); 3-Nikki Shirtcliffe; 4-Emily Farrell; 5-Nini Rabsatt-Smith; 7-Lauren Allison; 10-Clarissa Hernandez; 12-Monique Autmon; 20-Tatum Perry; 22-Shelby Owen; 23-Morgan Motes; 24-Jess Oram
Head Coach: Graham Winkworth

WKU : 1-Nora Abolins (GK); 2-Andrea Curry; 7-Haley Baldridge; 9-Sydney Sisler; 12-Iris Dunn; 13-Stephanie Lindsey; 15-Chrissy Tchoula; 21-Allie Auscherman; 22-Alanna Clancey; 27-Torrie Lange; 31-Chandler Clark
Head coach: Derek Leader

Stats Summary: USA / WKU
Shots: 15 / 11
Saves: 5 / 6
Offsides: 2 / 1
Corner Kicks: 1 / 1
Fouls: 5 / 20

Misconduct Summary:
YC – WKU #22 (33:34)
 
Officials: 
Head Referee: Gates Weaver
Assistant Referee 1: Jesse McBride
Assistant Referee 2: Fred Miljak
Alternate Official: Blake Williams
 
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).