BOONE, N.C. – Despite playing in its third straight overtime contest, the University of South Alabama soccer team found a way in extra time to defeat Appalachian State 2-1 on a goal from junior Nini Rabsatt-Smith (Montgomery, Ala.) Sunday afternoon at Appalachian Stadium.

The Jaguars are 10-0-1 in their last 11 outings to tie the school record for consecutive games without a loss, and currently stand 12-2-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Mountaineers fall to 6-8 and 3-2.

"It wasn't pretty," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "Appalachian State are a team that is all about intensity, workrate and passion, so I told my team that they'll have to go in and match that today and we did. We were able to show the same signs that they were and were fortunate enough to get a couple of goals that way. Nini was on the end of a couple and it was a nice way to end the game and the weekend."

USA has gone into extra time in its last three outings to remain unbeaten in the league and four times on the season.

"It shows the character we've got because it's difficult, particularly when you've been leading in games and you're pulled back and go into extra time; it's a massive mental challenge," Winkworth said. "For us to be able to pull ourselves back up and finish the game is great.

"What I really want to emphasize, is we have quality players for different types of games. In certain games we have to play in a technical way and we have the players to break teams down. Today, other players had to come in and battle a little bit more."

South Alabama's last defeat came Aug. 31 vs. Kennesaw State. It ties the previous mark of the 2011 team that went 9-0-2 over an 11-game stretch.

Rabsatt-Smith's goal came less than five minutes into the extra period at 94:32, and was her second of the contest. Freshman Rio Hardy (Workington, England) assisted on the match winner.

"We used Nini a different way today so she was getting forward a lot more. She was very composed for both goals. On the first one, she snuck around the goalkeeper and on the second one she slid it past the goalkeeper with her weak foot. She showed excellent composure and shows what a terrific athlete and talent she is, and we're very lucky we have her here."

After a scoreless first half, Rabsatt-Smith got the Jags on the board in the 58th minute off an assist from freshman Danielle Henley (Hattiesburg, Miss.). A Henley through-ball hit Rabsatt-Smith, who dribbled around the keeper for her third goal of the year.

The Mountaineers equalized 13 minutes later at 70:14 when Logan White found Jane Cline in the box.

USA sophomore Sarah Hay (Waxahachie, Texas) made five stops and allowed the one goal. ASU's Megan Roberson had four saves.

The Jaguars host their final two home matches of the season starting Friday night at 7 p.m. against Georgia Southern.

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).

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