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MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team scored a pair of goals after halftime to rally for a 2-1 win over Texas State Sunday afternoon at The Cage.

The Jaguars improve to 11-2-1 overall and 5-0 in the Sun Belt Conference, and increase their win streak to six games. The Bobcats lose their third in a row to fall to 8-5 and 2-3.

"Texas State is a very good team," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "They were on a seven-match unbeaten streak going into last weekend, so they're very good. They came in here and worked their socks off. All credit to them, because they're unfortunate not to come away with anything today.

"The girls have showed a lot of character all season long; when we've played well or not played well, we've always showed a lot of character and worked our socks off in games when we've been down. We were down today and came back straightaway with a response and then we finished it off. I asked for more energy in the second half and they gave it to me, so I was pleased with them."

After an uneventful first half, it didn't take long for that to change. Just 12 seconds after the second-half whistle, Texas State turned a South Alabama turnover into a goal. Lynsey Curry converted the breakaway to put the Bobcats up 1-0.

It didn't take long for the Jaguars to answer. Less than two minutes later, sophomore Rio Hardy (Workington, England) put home a loose ball in front of the net after a free kick at the 46:58 mark.

The teams remained deadlocked until there were 11 minutes remaining in the contest. The Jags strung together several passes, and the final two from sophomores Ashlynn Jones (Pickerington, Ohio) and Sophie Haywood (Hull, England) found sophomore Danielle Henley (Hattiesburg, Miss.) down the right channel. Henley beat the Texas State goalkeeper to the left for the tiebreaking goal.

"For a game that wasn't one of our best performances, I thought that was one of the most attractive goals we've scored all season," Winkworth noted. "Some lovely football was played in creating that goal. We have some excellent technicians that are very good on the ball that created that chance, and it was a good finish. I was pleased for her and for the team."

The two teams combined for just six shots – only one on goal – before intermission but had 16 in the second half and all three goals. Shots ended up even at 11-11 with USA holding a 9-7 advantage in shots on target.

"I was a little disappointed because we put in one of our best performances of the season on Friday night, so to come out slow today was a bit disappointing," Winkworth said. "We were fortunate to come in 0-0 at halftime, but we defended well, which we've done most of the season, so I was pleased with that, then we came out and showed the energy that we've been looking for."

Jaguar junior Sarah Hay (Waxahachie, Texas) made four saves in net and allowed the one goal. The Bobcats' Caitlynn Rinehart had five stops and two goals allowed.

South Alabama returns to action Friday with a road tilt at Georgia State (6 p.m. CST).

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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