MOBILE, Ala. – Drama at the start to each period knotted scoring at one-all, but University of South Alabama women's soccer scored twice in two minutes on Sunday to defeat Louisiana-Monroe, 3-1, to conclude the regular season.
 
USA (12-5-2, 5-2-1 SBC) also claimed maximum points on Thursday against Louisiana-Lafayette to finish the final weekend of Sun Belt Conference with six points, vital for the club's climb from fourth to second in unofficial final regular season standings.
 
The Jaguars are tied with the Ragin' Cajuns at second in the table, but would be seeded ahead, based on their previous win over ULL.
 
Senior center back Shelby Owen opened scoring in the third minute for USA, finishing a rebounded try from Nini Rabsatt-Smith right in front of the Warhawk goalmouth. It marked the second consecutive match that the Jaguars went ahead in the opening 10 minutes.
 
Louisiana-Monroe (6-12-1, 1-7-0 SBC) couldn't manage a shot until the 18^th minute, but the effort sparked an awakening for the desperate club, which needed at least a share of points to receive a berth to the SBC Championship in San Marcos, Texas, on Nov. 6-10.
 
The best Warhawk effort to that point came just before the halftime whistle, but Allie Dickson directed her shot right at USA senior keeper Melissa Drish.
 
Louisiana-Monroe drew level five minutes into the second half, Amanda Borstelmann converting from the spot after USA defender Emily Farrell appeared to go through the back of a ULM attacker just inside the Jaguar area, marking the second penalty given up by South Alabama in as many matches.
 
The hosts responded with eight shots to the Warhawks' two in the next 28 minutes of regulation, and managed two strikes in the 78^th and 80^th minutes to take the match out of reach.
 
Substitute Tatum Perry came on in the 68^th minute and immediately impacted USA's offense, allowing Rabsatt-Smith the option to move forward, before picking out Lauren Allison through the middle of the field, the freshman forward finishing one-on-one for a 2-1 Jaguar lead.
 
Monique Autmon provided insurance on USA's next buildup, directing her dipping shot into ULM keeper Holly Mallinson's far post after a number of successful Jaguar passes.
 
USA now turns its focus to seventh-place Georgia State, its first opponent in the conference tournament, hosted by Texas State. South Alabama defeated the Panthers, 2-1, in Atlanta on Oct. 10. Final seeding announcements will be presented soon.

Match: USA (12-5-2, 5-2-1 SBC) vs. Louisiana-Monroe (6-12-1, 1-7-0 SBC)
Date: September 27, 2013
Competition: Regular Season, Sun Belt Conference
Venue: The Cage (Mobile, Ala.)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Attendance: 264
Weather: 72 degrees, sunny
Scoring Summary:   1    2     F
ULM                             0   1     1      
USA                              1   2     3    
 
USA – Shelby Owen (Nini Rabsatt-Smith) – 3^rd minute
ULM – Amanda Bostelmann (penalty kick) – 51^st minute
USA – Lauren Allison (Tatum Perry) – 79^th minute
USA – Monique Autmon (Hernandez; Allison) – 81^st minute

Starting Lineups:
USA : 13-Melissa Drish (GK); 3-Nikki Shirtcliffe; 4-Emily Farrell; 5-Nini Rabsatt-Smith; 7-Lauren Allison; 9-Linsey Snavely; 10-Clarissa Hernandez; 12-Monique Autmon; 22-Shelby Owen; 23-Morgan Motes; 24-Jess Oram
Head Coach: Graham Winkworth

ULM : 1-Holly Mallinsoni (GK); 2-Cameron Stoker; 3-Amanda Borstelmann; 5-Cerene Arsenault; 9-Allie Dickson; 11-Jenna Pillon; 14-Nancy Kirk; 18-Mariah Mitchell; 19-Kylie Kukowki; 21-Whitney Tuckfield; 23-Kelley O'Dwyer
Head coach: Roberto Mazza

Stats Summary: USA / ULM
Shots: 28 / 13
Saves: 5 / 14
Offsides: 1 / 0
Corner Kicks: 3 / 3
Fouls: 7 / 8

Misconduct Summary:
none
 
Officials: 
Head Referee: Jennifer Politz
Assistant Referee 1: Sean Kruse
Assistant Referee 2: Matt Breland
Alternate Official: Rainier Kelly

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).