Box Score

TROY, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team held Louisiana Tech to just two shots and a goal in the 40th minute was all the offense the Jaguars needed in a 1-0 victory over the Bulldogs Friday evening at the Troy Soccer Complex.

USA improves to 3-0 on the season and extends its regular-season unbeaten streak to 21 (20-0-1). La Tech drops to 2-1.

"I thought we played very well and very patient," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "Louisiana Tech set up in a very defensive 5-4-1, so there was very little space to play in the attacking third. It really wasn't a case of us looking like we were going to concede a goal, it was just a matter of if we were going to score one. Fortunately, we managed to get one in the first half and that killed the nerves.

"We were able to keep a lot of possession in the game today, and all-in-all, it was an improved performance from last weekend, but there still some ways to go before we're ready for conference."

The two shots allowed—and none on goal—are the fewest by a Jaguar opponent since giving up zero on Aug. 24, 2012 against Mississippi Valley State. The last two South Alabama opponents have combined for nine total attempts and two on target.

"Sometimes the best form of defending is to have possession of the ball," Winkworth said. "We had the ball for most of the game, but when we didn't, we dropped off very well. Hannah Godfrey, starting her first collegiate game, did extremely well back there. We've got a lot of quality in every position on the field, so it's very exciting. I don't know what the lineup will be on Sunday; we'll have a look at how practice goes tomorrow."

Sophomore Steffi Hardy (Workington, England) accounted for the lone USA scoring tally with a header off an attempted punch out by the La Tech goalkeeper. It was her fifth career goal.

"Chelsea (Followwell) put in a free kick, it went to the back post, and Steffi was on the other end of the rebound," Winkworth said. "Steffi did was she's supposed to do—she hit the target, and sometimes when there's an open net, you need to have the composure to hit the open target and Steffi did that."

South Alabama held a 15-2 advantage in shots overall, with eight finding the target. Nine different Jags attempted a shot.

"The shots were spread out because we were able to literally attack with eight or nine players because they sat so deep," Winkworth noted. "It was important that we didn't take shots from 40 yards out; we could've had 30 shots today, but we were patient and tried to get shots from good areas of the field, and that's why we managed to have a decent number on frame, rather than banging it over from distance."

The Jaguars will take a day off before taking on Tennessee-Martin Sunday at noon.

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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