MOBILE, Ala. – On the heels of a four consecutive wins, the University of South Alabama soccer team starts a five-match homestand this weekend with the Jaguar Classic at The Cage.

Play opens Friday at 4 p.m. with Francis Marion vs. Troy, followed by USA vs. North Florida at 7 p.m. Sunday's schedule sees the Jaguars take on FMU at 11:30 a.m. before UNF faces Troy at 2 p.m.

South Alabama's win streak is the longest by the program since September 2011. The run was kept alive last weekend with a 2-0 victory at Mississippi State and a 6-2 triumph at Alabama A&M.

"Obviously last weekend I was pleased with the results and part of the performances, but this weekend is part of a five-game homestand, so it's important that this weekend needs to be big," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "It's our last non-conference weekend before we start playing league games so we need to be taking some momentum into our league games.

"Last year we lost both games going into conference; we played extremely well against South Florida but had a poor game against North Florida two days later. They were two quality opponents that prepared us for conference opponents. It's important that we get used to playing on our field, playing soccer the right way and hopefully get some positive results and just as importantly, some positive performances going into next week."

The homestand coincides with the start of Sun Belt Conference play. Following this weekend's festivities, the Jags host Troy in the league opener Sept. 26, then face Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana-Lafayette a week later.

"We played very well on Friday and a lot more disjointed on Sunday, so the most important thing that I want to get out of the weekend is not only keeping the momentum going, but I want a real confidence-building performance from the girls as well," Winkworth said. "I want to put the ball down, have lots of movement off the ball, make sure we're organized defensively and make sure our shape is good. I want to get back to basics and do the simple things well; if we do that, we can have some positive results. More important though, is putting in positive performances, which will be huge going into what will be a tough three conference games coming up."

Freshman Chardé Hannah (Tupelo, Miss.) earned the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week award after scoring three goals with an assist last weekend. Two of those goals came in the 2-0 win at Mississippi State. She ranks 16th in the nation in goals per match (.875) and 17th in points per match (2.13), and leads the conference in both categories.

"She's doing very well," Winkworth stated. "She's getting fitter each week and is starting to make more of an impact than she did earlier in the season, so I'm pleased with that side of things. She's dangerous and scored two excellent goals on Friday night against a very tough opponent and came off the bench on Sunday and made an immediate impact as well.

"The assist she got could have been her goal, but she showed her unselfishness and put the team first because Sophie (Haywood) was in a much better position and laid it off to her for an open goal. It's kind of strange because I've been telling Chardé that she needs to be more selfish; she made the right decision to pass the ball, but I'm pleased that in the last couple of games she's showed a more selfish side to her game and has been taking more shots, and as a result, has been scoring more goals."

USA's two opponents enter the weekend with a combined record of 1-11 and have been outscored 40-7. However, North Florida defeated South Alabama 1-0 last season, and Alabama A&M had not scored prior to last Sunday's game, and went into halftime tied 1-1.

"North Florida had a similar record last year and beat us," Winkworth noted. "They have a new coach so I don't know anything about their formation or system or any of that stuff, so that will be different for us. I know that last year they were a physical team and were very direct, but this is a new coach and they have some new players so this is not a game we can take lightly.

"I know nothing about Francis Marion other than I'm friends with their coach. Frank (Pitt) is a buddy of mine and offered to come down and play in this tournament so we're excited to host them and the other schools, and we hope to have an exciting weekend of soccer."

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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