Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama women's soccer dictated the run of play for the duration of Thursday's contest versus Louisiana-Lafayette at The Cage, and Lauren Allison returned to goal-scoring form by collecting a hat trick in USA's 4-2 win over the Ragin' Cajuns.
 
Following back-to-back shutout losses to Western Kentucky and Troy, USA (11-5-2, 4-2-1 SBC) appeared eager to shake its demons and create opportunities Thursday night, which it did from the outset, beginning with the first of Allison's three.
 
South Alabama's second appeal for a penalty was granted in the eighth minute, and Allison converted from the spot for her first goal in four matches.
 
USA senior midfielder Clarissa Hernandez followed with two shots before finding the head via corner kick of Jaguar sophomore defender Nini Rabsatt-Smith, who nodded home her second collegiate goal for a 2-0 host advantage.
 
Twelve minutes later, referee Darrin Browder awarded Louisiana-Lafayette (8-6-2, 5-2-0 SBC) a chance from the spot after a Ragin' Cajuns appeal for handball in the South Alabama penalty area. Cajun freshman Yazmin Montoya sank her chance to cut the Jaguar lead to 2-1.
 
Undefeated (9-0-1) on the year when leading after the interval, USA wasted no time in applying pressure in the second 45.
 
Allison and sophomore forward Jordan Duncan made it difficult for Louisiana-Lafayette's defenders to find a link to the midfield, and seven minutes into the second half, Duncan stepped in front of a Ragin' Cajun pass from the back line and fed Allison, who finished clinically for a 3-1 Jaguar lead.
 
Less than 20 minutes later, the freshman forward completed her first career hat trick by driving past three Louisiana-Lafayette defenders and calmly sinking a low drive to the far post to push the host lead to 4-1.
 
Montoya scored a consolation for the Ragin' Cajuns just before the whistle when she collected a spilled clearance and scored from the top of USA's area.
 
"We've had a couple of games where we've not created too much; we've not been finishing," said USA head coach Graham Winkworth. "We were due a good game in front of goal."I told the girls to relax and go out there and have fun. I think they did just that tonight.
 
"They passed the ball, and we were able to create chances because of it," he concluded. "I'm really proud of their efforts."

South Alabama outshot Louisiana-Lafayette, 21-12 on the night and forced six corners to the opposition's four. USA senior goalkeeper Melissa Drish made two saves on the night, moving to 9-5-2 on the year. The Jaguars extended their 2013 home record to 5-1-1.
 
USA will conclude the regular season on Sunday when it hosts Louisiana-Monroe at 1 p.m. Several Jaguars will be honored during pregame as part of USA's Senior Day festivities. All home matches throughout the season are free to all attendees. The Cage is located on Old Shell Road, just east of Stanky Field. 
 
Match: USA (11-5-2, 4-2-1 SBC) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-6-2, 5-2-0 SBC)
Date: October 24, 2013
Competition: Regular Season, Sun Belt Conference
Venue: The Cage (Mobile, Ala.)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Attendance: 119
Weather: 70 degrees, clear
Scoring Summary:   1   2   F
ULL                             1   1    2
USA                              2   2    4

USA – Lauren Allison (penalty kick) – 8^th minute
USA – Nini Rabsatt-Smith (Clarissa Hernandez) – 18^th minute
ULL – Yazmin Montoya (penalty kick) – 30^th minute
USA – Lauren Allison (Jordan Duncan) – 53^rd minute
USA – Lauren Allison – 71^st minute
ULL – Yazmin Montoya – 90^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; 15-Jordan Duncan; 22-Shelby Owen; 23-Morgan Motes; 24-Jess Oram
Head Coach: Graham Winkworth

ULL : 0-Cory DeMarco; 3-Tina Sanchez; 4-Caroline Trahan; 5-Shelby Isley; 9-Grace Howell-Harries; 10-Annika Schmidt; 11-Kimberly Grasso; 12-Yazmin Montoya; 13-Mary Walters; 17-Taylor Kennedy; 24-Claire Ruehle
Head coach: Scot Wieland

Stats Summary: USA / Louisiana-Lafayette
Shots: 21 / 12
Saves: 2 / 4
Offsides: 1 / 0
Corner Kicks: 6 / 4
Fouls: 7 / 7

Misconduct Summary:
none
 
Officials: 
Head Referee: Darrin Browder
Assistant Referee 1: Erin Plitsche
Assistant Referee 2: Scott Hannah
Alternate Official: Uwe Tittl
 
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).