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Postgame Video

Championship Central

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Lauren Allison was named 2013 Sun Belt Most Outstanding Player after scoring the lone goal in University of South Alabama women's soccer's first-ever league championship victory over Western Kentucky at Bobcat Soccer Complex.
 
The freshman's conversion was her 16^th on the year and second of the tournament. She, Melissa Drish, Clarissa Hernandez, Nini Rabsatt-Smith and Shelby Owen were named to the All-SBC Tournament team after the win.
 
USA (14-5-3, 5-2-1 SBC) advances to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. The national showdown will begin next week, and the Jaguars' opponent will be revealed on Nov. 11 at 3:30 p.m. (CT) on NCAA.com.
 
"This is a great feeling," said USA first-year head coach Graham Winkworth, who collected his first Division I conference title. "This was some excellent passing soccer, the best all season. And the girls defended magnificently today.
 
"We're going to enjoy every moment of this and the rest of our season," he added.
 
Allison scored on a breakaway in the 20^th minute, driving past multiple Lady Topper defenders to latch onto Morgan Motes's pass which produced the chance. USA avenged a loss by a similar scoreline late in the regular season. USA defeated Georgia State and Arkansas State to advance to the final.
 
The Lady Toppers outshot South Alabama 16-14 in the contest, including an 11-5 margin in the second half. WKU's best looks in the first half came from freshman Haley Baldridge and sophomore Alanna Clancey, who both had shots blocked from the right corner of the box.
 
USA will host a selection show party tomorrow at Heroe's Sports Bar & Grill on Hillcrest and Old Shell from 3 to 5 p.m. All fans are welcome to attend.
 
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).