AUBURN, Ala. – No. 9 Auburn scored twice within 68 seconds midway through the first half to rally from an early deficit and defeat the University of South Alabama soccer team 2-1 Sunday night at the AU Soccer Complex.

The Tigers improve to 7-1 overall while the Jaguars drop to 5-2.

"The result is very disappointing because I felt like for large portions of the game we were the stronger team, but credit to Auburn, they are a very good, well-coached team," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "They hit us immediately after we scored, which is always a dangerous time – sometimes it's difficult to keep your concentration and Auburn scored on two nice crosses and headers at the back post. We know we'll be a lot more ready to defend those in future games."

The shots totals between the two teams were dead even at 13-13; Auburn put six on frame, USA had four on target. The Jags held the edge in corner kicks 7-4.

"We scored off a set piece – I was really pleased with that – I was just disappointed that we didn't keep our focus collectively for the next five minutes because for large portions of the game we possessed the ball extremely well and I'm really proud of the team's effort."

All three goals came in a span of just over four minutes. The Jags struck first at the 21:02 mark when freshman Hannah Godfrey (Thornton-Cleveleys, England) got on the end of a corner kick from freshman Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England) for her second goal of the season.

"It was a wonderful delivery from Jemma – who earlier had one saved off the line five minutes earlier on a corner kick – and Hannah picked up a rebound and put it in the back of the net. It was a good finish and an important goal at the time."

Auburn struck back three minutes later. Ellie Leak took advantage of a failed cleared clearance and crossed it to Taylor Troutman who headed it home.

Just over a minute later, Leek and Troutman hooked up again for another goal, but it was Troutman's cross — after a pass from Leek — that found the head of Casie Ramsier to put the Tigers up for good.

"It's a dangerous period of time when you've just scored and they came back scored two goals," Winkworth said. "We were shell-shocked a little bit and we switched off. We've got to make sure that we play for 90 minutes and today we played for 86 against a very strong Auburn team."

Junior Sarah Hay (Waxahachie, Texas) made four saves in goal for the Jags.

Sophomore Danielle Henley (Hattiesburg, Miss.) paced USA with four shots and four different Jaguars put an attempt on net.

"We've been trying a few new things, putting players in positions that are new to them, and we did that again tonight and I'm very happy with the effort that they put in," Winkworth said. "I thought Jemma did excellent in the hole. She's used to playing as a forward – I've done that with other players in the past and she's another player that can play in that position. She did well, as did Rio (Hardy) and Twiggy (Sophie Haywood).

"All in all, we try to focus on performances and the results usually take care of themselves. Today we focused on performances and I think it was the most complete performance of the season so far and I'm really proud of them."

South Alabama hosts Marquette in the final non-conference home match of the season Thursday night at 7 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).

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