MOBILE, Ala. – At the start of the 2014 season, University of South Alabama soccer coach Graham Winkworth looked to have a rebuilding job on his hands. Gone were 10 seniors from the team that captured USA's first Sun Belt Conference Tournament title, and replacing them were 12 freshmen and six new starters.

Using a lineup that consisted of 10 freshmen and sophomores, the team posted the best record in school history (19-3-1) and went to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row.

The Jaguars set a new school record with an 18-game unbeaten streak—snapped in the NCAA Tournament loss to No. 2 Florida State—that included 17 wins and put together nine- and eight-game winning streaks during the season, while scoring in 22 of 23 matches. USA placed a league-high seven players on the two All-Sun Belt teams and became the first SBC team ever to outright sweep the conference's four individual postseason honors.

"I was very happy with the progress we made this season," said Winkworth, who was voted the Sun Belt Coach of the Year by his peers. "To win the double the year after losing six starters was far more than we could have dreamed about coming in. I feel that we have created a winning mentality in the program. This is primarily down to recruiting young ladies who not only have talent, but have high expectations of themselves and their team. We are now a legitimate program nationally and ranked above many of the schools in the Power 5 conferences which was a goal of mine coming in.

The driving force behind the stellar season was a freshman class that accounted for 55 of the team's 68 goals and 143 of 184 points, had four of its members named First Team All-Sun Belt and one more voted to the Second Team, and had the conference's freshman and offensive players of the year.

"They were absolutely crucial to our success," Winkworth said. "We started six in most games and others came in off the bench too. The older girls did a wonderful job in helping the girls settle quickly and it was apparent very quickly that we had a lot of young talent. I am excited to have a spring with these girls where we can focus on player development over wins and losses, which should help us for next year. I do feel that the freshmen also understand now—or they will in January—the expectations I have on the physical side of the game. Most were not ready coming in, so this will be another area they will all improve greatly."

Chardé Hannah (Tupelo, Miss.), Rio and Steffi Hardy (Workington, England), Sophie Haywood (Hull, England) and Danielle Henley (Hattiesburg, Miss.) were all freshman members of the all-conference team, while junior Nini Rabsatt-Smith (Montgomery, Ala.) and sophomore Monique Autmon (Ocean Springs, Miss.) were tabbed to the first and second teams, respectively.

Hannah broke out in her inaugural season, scored 20 goals and 47 points, and was named the Sun Belt Freshman and Offensive Player of the Year. She ranks in the nation's top 10 in goals and points per match, and game-winning goals, and tied a school record with four goals vs. Francis Marion, and added an assist for nine points, which is tied for third in USA history.

Her goals and points total are second best in school history, and she already ranks in a tie for 10th in school history in career goals and 11th in career points.

"I was very happy for her," Winkworth said. "As I've mentioned before, I wanted her from day one. I am so pleased she has had a great year, but in all honesty I am even more excited by her potential. It will be very hard for her to score 20 goals each year as we toughen up our schedule, but I believe that once we work with her in a few areas, she will become a hall of famer for this university. Chardé is a very humble young lady which makes coaching her so much fun. My staff and I have created a great bond with her so she goes out there giving 100 percent for her team, coaches and family."

The championship season wasn't just done on the back of the offense. The defense did its part as well, racking up a school-record 12 shutouts, including 10 from sophomore Sarah Hay (Waxahachie, Texas), who also tied the South Alabama single-season mark for goals against average with 0.92.

Rabsatt-Smith claimed the Sun Belt Defender of the Year honor—the first by a South Alabama player—and ranked sixth on the team with five goals and 13 points.

"I told Nini when I arrived after her freshman season that she was the best player in the league, and she needed to work a lot harder to prove me right. Back then I don't think even Nini believed me but wow has she done it.

"Nini can play anywhere. She is a wonderful center back but primarily found herself attacking from the left this year. I even used her in midfield or up top on a couple of occasions and both times she scored important goals. Her attitude to training has done a complete 180 in these two years and because of it, her hard work is paying off. She is now far more confident, and has the respect of the team to where they listen to her supportive words and are definitely going to run harder if she is not happy. We are very lucky to have a talent like Nini here and I really hope that she will lead the team back to another championship—or two—her senior season."

The future looks bright for the Jaguars who will have just three seniors on next year's team, which could only mean greater things are yet to come.

"I feel that to say our future is bright could be an understatement," Winkworth said. "We have started 10 sophomores and freshmen almost every game this season. We gave a great account of ourselves against No. 1 seed Florida State, and lasted 44 minutes against them when we were 3-0 down after just 22 minutes a year earlier. I feel that with another spring behind us, and the addition of a few more talented girls, our squad next year will be even stronger. Competition for playing time will be so intense. It will have to be as the schedule is by far the hardest in school history. This will be very exciting for our fans."

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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