LAFAYETTE, La. – University of South Alabama sophomore Chardé Hannah (Tupelo, Miss.) scored a goal and assisted on sophomore Rio Hardy's (Workington, England) match-winner in the Jaguars' 2-1 double-overtime victory at Louisiana-Lafayette Friday night at the Cajuns Soccer Complex.

The Jags move to 2-0 in Sun Belt Conference play and 8-2-1 overall. The Ragin' Cajuns fall to 7-5-1 and 1-2.

"I was really pleased with the game tonight," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "I thought we controlled it for 90 percent of the time and the girls were excellent throughout, particularly in the first half."

Hannah recorded her first game with three points or more since scoring a brace Aug. 23 at Samford. She put the Jags on the board in the 28th minute with her fifth goal of the season – tying her for the team lead – then fed Hardy late in double overtime to send USA home with the win.

"Chardé upped her game a lot," Winkworth noted. "She was carrying a knock the last few weeks but she looks like she's feeling a lot better now. Her movement was better, she created chances for herself and her teammates, and was big in today's win. She had a nice, composed finish to give us the lead."

Hardy's goal, her second of the year, came with 4:30 left on the clock. After a scramble, Hannah found Hardy, positioned on the right side of the goal, who put it away.

"It was more of a relief really, because I thought only one team toward the end was trying to win the game," Winkworth said. "Lafayette looked like they were happy to get a point; they were sitting back and were trying to hit us with long balls. I was proud that our girls were brave enough to try push on and win the game. Fortunately their courage was rewarded in the overtime."

South Alabama doubled up UL Lafayette in shots 28-14, but were only able to put nine on frame. Hardy and Hannah accounted for almost half of the team's total with 13, as Hardy put up seven, with three on target.

The Jags held a 15-4 shots advantage in the first half but were able to put just the one goal in as ULL goalkeeper Cosette Morche was only forced to make four saves.

"Lafayette was good at getting numbers behind the ball and forcing us to take shots from distance," Winkworth said. "We controlled the middle of the field, but we were not that strong in both penalty areas. For us to continue to rise in the RPI rankings, we've got to not only control the middle of the field, but be the better team in both penalty boxes. Tonight we were, but we were not convincing."

In a similar circumstance to last season's 4-4 draw in Mobile, the Cajuns struck late to draw level. Elizabeth Manuel came off the bench and put in a rebound at the 82:29 mark to send the game into overtime.

"At the time, I thought it was going to be one of those days because I thought we were by far the dominant team," Winkworth stated. "Sometimes you can dominate games and not get the result. I feared it could be déjà vu from last year, but like I said, the girls showed tremendous character and I was really proud of them."

After a relatively quiet first extra period, the Jaguars waited until there were less than five minutes remaining to put the game away.

"We've travelled a lot this season and they've shown that they're not only good soccer players, but they are terrific human beings," Winkworth said. "Now that they've coped with all of the travel, they'll continue to be successful and on the field."

Junior Sarah Hay (Waxahachie, Texas) went the distance in goal for South Alabama, making five saves. Morche had seven stops for UL Lafayette.

The Jags wrap up their four-game road trip Sunday with a 1 p.m. tilt at Louisiana-Monroe.

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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