MOBILE, Ala. – Junior Jordan Duncan (Bay St. Louis, Miss.) headed home a cross from sophomore Emily Farrell (Burnley, England) in the first half and the University of South Alabama defense recorded its Sun Belt Conference-best 10th shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over the Georgia State soccer team Sunday afternoon at The Cage.

The Jaguars are unbeaten in their last 13 matches and currently stand at 14-2-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the league. The Panthers drop to 5-8-4, 3-3-1.

"It was a physical game," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "Both teams work extremely hard and you expect that sometimes when teams are very athletic and hardworking. Georgia State is a hardworking team, so a lot of credit to them. It was a close game and we were just fortunate we defended well throughout and I'm proud of our team's effort. It was a good, positive result for us and it puts us a little closer to start talking more about finishing high at the table."

Duncan's goal—her sixth of the season but first since Sept. 14—came at 29:59. Freshman Sophie Haywood (Hull, England) found Farrell out wide, who lifted a cross that Duncan headed over the Georgia State goalkeeper into the upper right corner of the net.

"It was a very nice goal," Winkworth stated. "It's funny because we played keepy-uppy with headers yesterday in practice because I was frustrated from the day before, so it's funny that the goal came from her head. I told her it was all because of our practice yesterday and she was laughing at me."

The South Alabama defense held Georgia State to just five shots total and only one on goal. Sophomore Sarah Hay (Waxahachie, Texas) made one save for her eighth cleansheet of the season, which is first in the Sun Belt.

"The defense was fantastic," Winkworth said. "They won first balls, they won second balls and they didn't allow the ball to bounce like they did on Friday night. I'm really proud of their effort; they did exactly what we asked them to do and I can't speak highly enough of them.

"From an attacking standpoint, the attack began with them so I'm proud of the way we played with the ball at the back. It was great work from our backline."

USA put up 22 shots, with 11 on target, and an additional two that hit the crossbar. All three of Duncan's attempts were on goal.

Christa Fox went the distance for the Panthers in net, made 10 saves and allowed the one goal.

The Jaguars close out the regular season next weekend in Arkansas, starting with Arkansas State Friday at 2 p.m.

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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