Box Score
MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama's Nini Rabsatt-Smith twice gave her club a lead on Thursday night, taking a break from her characteristic left back position with players out from injury, to lead the Jaguars to a 2-1 exhibition victory over cross-town rival, Spring Hill.
The Montgomery, Ala., sophomore, typically seen covering the left side of USA's defense, was afforded an opportunity to step forward into an attacking position with the absence of a few key Jaguar players, accounting for the demanding preseason regimen arranged by first-year head coach Graham Winkworth.
"Having (Morgan) Motes and Rizzo (Clarissa Hernandez) out for most of the game really hurt us," Winkworth explained. "But we'll have them back for next week (against Mississippi State on Aug. 23), so there are no problems there. Tonight, with a couple of players missing, I wanted to use Nini (at forward) just to give her something different and see how it worked.
"Clearly, with a couple of goals tonight, she caused a problem (for Spring Hill)," he continued. "And it gives us an option for the future, because we've got some talented defenders, and Nini can play anywhere on the field."
USA opened the contest with six unanswered shots before Rabsatt-Smith first struck. Midway through the opening period, the home side went ahead went freshman midfielder Monique Autmon delivered a low cross from the left flank that found Rabsatt-Smith alone in the area, and the attacker did not disappoint, firing high and right of Badger keeper Abby Massengale.
SHC answered, however, five minutes away from the break, with Hannah Michael finishing a Tatiana Gonzalez corner kick to draw the score level, 1-1.
Nerves played little a part in the second half for USA, though, the hosts exploding at the restart with 10 more unanswered before Rabsatt-Smith struck again, beating a Badger defender and collapsing in the opposing box on a hard visitor challenge, which prompted an opportunity at the spot.
Rabsatt-Smith calmly deposited the game-winner to the keeper's right again to give USA the 2-1 margin.
USA outshot Spring Hill, 27-4, on the night, 17-1 in the second period. The Jags forced five corner kicks to the Badgers' two, and USA's Lauren Arnold earned the decision in goal after splitting time half-and-half with redshirt freshman Sarah Hay.
One week outside it's season opener versus Mississippi State at home on August 23, Winkworth said his team will focus on rounding out the work it's done so far in preseason, namely in attack.
"After watching this game, it's very evident what we've been working on, and that's team defense" he stated. "We've only just started working on getting forward, and that was evidenced by giving the ball away a little too frequently tonight.
"A lot of that is nerves; a lot of these girls played their first college soccer game tonight," the head coach said further. "With players we're giving a rest coming back, we'll be working on keeping the ball and creating chances."
USA hosts the Bulldogs next Friday at 7 p.m. at The Cage, located on Old Shell Road, just east of Stanky Field. USA Athletic Marketing will host several promotional events throughout the season. Check the Women's Soccer tab above for a schedule of each match's events. All home soccer matches throughout the season will be free to all attendees.
-- University of South Alabama Game Report --
Match: USA vs. Spring Hill
Date: August 15, 2013
Competition: Exhibition
Venue: The Cage (Mobile, Ala.)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. CT
Attendance: 127
Weather: 83 degrees, mostly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
SHC 1 0 1
USA 1 1 2
USA – Nini Rabsatt-Smith (Monique Autmon) – 23rd minute
SHC – Hannah Michael (Tatiana Gonzalez) – 40th minute
USA – Nini Rabsatt-Smith (penalty kick) – 79th minute
Starting Lineups:
USA : 02-Sarah Hay (GK); 3-Nikki Shirtcliffe; 5-Nini Rabsatt-Smith; 6-Kristyn Thacker; 12-Monique Autmon; 20-Tatum Perry; 22-Shelby Owen; 23-Morgan Motes; 24-Jess Oram; 26-Rylee Hart; 54-Shawn Meach
Head Coach: Graham Winkworth
SHC : 1-Abby Massengale (GK); 4-Hannah Michael; 6-Kaitlyn Eichorst; 7-Darby Rasch; 8-Haley Funderburg; 9-Tatiana Gonzalez; 11-Erin Claxton; 15-Sidi Genus; 17-Kaitlyn Blais; 21-Courtney Harlan; 25-Molly Cowley
Head coach: Christian DeVries
Stats Summary: USA / SHC
Shots: 27 / 4
Saves: 2 / 13
Corner Kicks: 5 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
none
Officials:
Head Referee: Eric Ackerman
Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Campbell
Assistant Referee 2: Sinisa Vukadin
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).
— USA —
