Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – A goal in the 85th minute from sophomore Ashlynn Jones (Pickerington, Ohio) was the difference in the University of South Alabama soccer team's 1-0 exhibition win over Jacksonville State Sunday at the JSU Soccer Field.

The Jaguars attempted 30 shots—17 on net—to the Gamecocks' five, and had 15 corner kicks.

"I thought we controlled the game start to finish and limited the number of opportunities for our opponent, which is one of the things we wanted to do," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "We created a lot of goal-scoring chances and on another day I think it could have been five or six. Credit to Jacksonville State because their goalkeeper played fantastic and their defenders put in a lot of important blocks."

The 2015 season officially begins Friday at Mississippi State.

Jones' goal came after a shot from sophomore Chardé Hannah (Tupelo, Miss.) was parried by the JSU goalkeeper. Jones was the first to the ball and put it in the empty net.

South Alabama controlled the match, outshooting Jacksonville State 12-1 in the first half and 18-4 in the second. The 17 shots on goal would have been second most in a game last season.

Twelve different players recorded a shot and eight put an attempt on frame, including Hannah, who tallied four on net, and Jones and sophomore Tiina Trutsi (Tallin, Estonia), who had three apiece.

"A lot of our shots were shared around the team," Winkworth said. "We managed to get players forward from the back and we involved our midfield players as well and got some shots through them. We used a number of forwards in the game and they worked extremely hard on both sides of the ball. I'm really pleased with how we moved the ball around, for the most part, and we just have to work on some things in the final third this week and be a little more clinical."

Goalkeepers Sarah Hay (Waxahachie, Texas) and Courtney Baum (Cumming, Ga.) combined on the shutout, playing a half each. The USA defense limited JSU to five shots total and two on goal.

"We defended well from front to back," Winkworth stated. "Our goalkeepers were solid and focused and aware with their positioning because they had to make some clearances as well with through-balls. I was happy defensively with our goalkeepers all the way through our forwards."

Caroline Robinson made 16 stops in goal for the Gamecocks, playing all 90 minutes.

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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