Photo Gallery

Clarissa Hernandez Interview

Lauren Allison Interview

MOBILE, Ala. – Battling cruel temperatures including a heat index that eclipsed 100 degrees, University of South Alabama women's soccer met on the Jaguar football practice grounds Wednesday morning to open preseason training.
 
After Tuesday evening storms washed away the possibility of training at the outfit's home pitch, The Cage, USA was forced to relocate to the turf fields behind the football fieldhouse. Thankful to compete on a dry surface, the club was tested, however, by the façade's heat retention.
 
"Unfortunately our field was a little bit wet, so we couldn't use it," said first-year head coach Graham Winkworth. "So, we came out on the turf, and it was very hot. Some of the girls have got to acclimatize. It will take them a couple of weeks to get used to the weather."
 
USA began its two-hour session with a 45-minute stretch routine, dictated and demonstrated by Jaguar Strength and Conditioning head coach Justin Schwind and assistant coach Joey Choron. On the other side of a brief water break, the team participated in three 25-minute, full-field scrimmages, with players relocating to different teams and positions throughout.
 
"The reason we wanted to go straight into some scrimmage-type activities is because I've not seen a lot of the girls play, certainly not in game situations," explained Winkworth, who will field a number of inherited student-athletes signed by former USA head coach Mike Varga.
 
Following lunch, a bit of rest and a brief film session, the Jags will resume training tonight with three more half-hour sessions.
 
"It's been a good day so far," the head coach continued. "I've seen some good things, but it's a day that, every year, is full of nerves, so I like to scrimmage on the first day to give them a chance to get those rusty touches out of the way and give them a chance to relax, so that when we start working on our tactical side of the game can settle down and play well."
 
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).