NEW ORLEANS – University of South Alabama freshman Jemma Purfield has been named the Sun Belt Conference Women's Soccer Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week.

Purfield is the second Jaguar to receive the award this season (Chardé Hannah).

The Cottingham, England native scored a goal with an assist and led the Jaguar defense in two shutout victories. She played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 win over Louisiana Tech and recorded two shots, both on goal, while the defense held the Bulldogs to just two shots in the contest

Two days later, Purfield scored her first career goal in USA's 7-0 win over Tennessee-Martin and added an assist. South Alabama posted its second consecutive shutout and third of the season, holding UTM to six shots.

Purfield has started every game this season and played all but 22 minutes.

South Alabama, which is receiving three votes in the latest NSCAA top 25, hosts the Jaguar Classic this weekend, welcoming South Florida, Troy and Austin Peay to The Cage. USA faces South Florida Friday at 7 p.m. and Austin Peay Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

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).

—USA—