THIBODAUX, La. – University of South Alabama central midfielder Clarissa Hernandez converted a free kick in the dying moments of regulation to pull the visiting Jaguars level with Nicholls State on Sunday in a hostile fixture that featured eight cautions, two sendings off and 35 combined fouls.
 
Tensions soared early for a USA club that, perhaps still remembering it's season-opening victory over Mississippi State on Friday, went down in the sixth minute on a Colonel set piece that ended with Hannah Savoie punching in Shelby Smith's cross.
 
The hosts might've doubled their advantage in the 40^th minute, but Jaguar keeper Melissa Drish saved a Jess Coates penalty to preserve the goal deficit.
 
Three yellow cards were issued in the final five minutes of the first period.
 
USA's Nini Rabsatt-Smith picked up two yellows in the first 18 minutes of second half play, and Jag head coach Graham Winkworth, who earned his first Division I victory just two days ago, was tossed from the match with 12 minutes remaining.
 
The last red card South Alabama was issued dates back to October 30, 2009 in a 1-0 loss to Troy.
 
Undeterred however, was the senior Hernandez, who drove a 20-yard free kick through the Colonel wall in the 82^nd minute to force extra time. Drish, again, came to the rescue in overtime, turning away four Nicholls State shots to maintain the away draw.
 
"I'm extremely proud of my team today for the character they showed and for how they battled in a tough environment," said USA head coach Graham Winkworth. "We struggled to play our game on an atrocious pitch today, but we adapted and played well in the second half, though in a less attractive style than we're used to.
 
"Not sure that Nini committed a single foul today," the head coach said of the sophomore's sending off. "The complaint from the ref was high feet, but, against a shorter opponent that's going to happen. We weren't prepared for the physical play Nicholls State brought to the table, and my sending off was over questioning the consistency of the calls that were being made.
 
"I will always look out for the safety of my players," he concluded. "Our girls were being manhandled out there, and calls were not made. I am extremely proud of how the team kept their composure."
 
USA was outshot by Nicholls State, 14-10, in the match and the Colonels dominated in corner kicks, 9-5. South Alabama committed 18 fouls to Nicholls State's 17. Drish saved nine of Nicholls State's 10 shots on goal.
 
"Drish came up big for us today," Winkworth said of the senior. "She pulled a big save on the penalty and jumped on the rebound. It was an important save at an important time, and it gave the girls life."
 
On how he believes today's test prepares his team for the remaining four matches of a five-match road slate, Winkworth said, "Hopefully, we're developing the attitude that we can grind out one-goal games. We adapted well today in tough conditions, and I'm extremely proud of the work rate and how we played one down. This team has shown that they will battle."
 
USA (1-0-1) will visit Troy next weekend to take on Jackson State and Louisiana Tech as part of the 2013 Trojan Classic.

Match: USA vs. Nicholls State
Date: August 25, 2013
Competition: Regular Season
Venue: Nicholls Soccer Complex (Thibodaux, La.)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. CT
Attendance: 179
Weather: 
Scoring Summary:   1   2    OT   OT2   F
USA                            0   1    0        0      1
Nicholls State             1   0    0        0      1

Nicholls State – Hannah Savoie (Shelby Smith) – 6^th minute
USA – Clarissa Hernandez (free kick) – 82^nd minute

Starting Lineups:
USA : 13-Melissa Drish (GK); 3-Nikki Shirtcliffe; 4-Emily Farrell; 5-Nini Rabsatt-Smith; 6-Kristyn Thacker; 10-Clarissa Hernandez; 12-Monique Autmon; 20-Tatum Perry; 22-Shelby Owen; 24-Jess Oram; 26-Rylee Hart
Head Coach: Graham Winkworth

Nicholls State : 26-Amanda Boylson (GK); 2-Hannah Savoie; 3-Kaylie Daniels; 6-Jess Coates; 13-Melissa Pestalozzi; 15-Alexandra Marino; 16-Meghan Lanteigne; 21-Shelby Smith; 22-Kirsten Cunningham; 23-Amber Moore; 30-Spencer Valdespino
Head coach: Dylan Harrison

Stats Summary: USA / Nicholls State
Shots: 10 / 14
Saves: 9 / 3
Offsides: 4 / 2
Corner Kicks: 5 / 9
Fouls: 18 / 17

Misconduct Summary:
YC – USA, Team – 39:53; YC – Nicholls State, Meghan Lanteigne – 41:39; YC – Nicholls State, Amber Moore – 41:53; YC – USA, Nini Rabsatt-Smith – 52:50; YC (RC) – USA, Nini Rabsatt-Smith – 62:25; YC (RC) – USA, Team – 77:59; YC – USA, Kristyn Thacker – 80:47; YC – USA, Rylee Hart – 93:42
 
Officials: 
Head Referee: Sam Bilbo
Assistant Referee 1: Sean Kruse
Assistant Referee 2: Michelle Tubre
Alternate Official: Darrin Browder
 
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).