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MOBILE, Ala. – Marquette scored early but the University of South Alabama soccer team got a late equalizer and the two teams finished 1-1 after 110 minutes Thursday night at The Cage.
The Jaguars move to 5-2-1 on the season while the Golden Eagles pick up their second consecutive tie for a 3-3-2 record.
"I was really proud of how we came out in the second half," USA head coach
Graham Winkworth said. "I thought we were unfortunate (to be trailing) if you look at the statistics. I know the shots were seven apiece, but we had four shots on target to one; we really worked their goalkeeper.
"We just had a lapse on a set piece early in the first half and it cost us a goal, but I thought we responded with great character, and in the second half we came out and really controlled the game."
South Alabama outshot Marquette 24-16 on the night, including 17-9 after intermission. USA also held a 12-5 margin in attempts on goal.
"We've learned that we can play with teams in the upper echelon in the Southeastern Conference and we've learned we can play with teams in the upper part of the Big East now as well," Winkworth noted. "We're very unfortunate to come out with just a tie from the last two games. I thought we could have come away with two victories."
It took less than five minutes for Marquette to get on the board. After a failed USA clearing attempt on a corner kick,
Erin Holland took a shot from the top of the box that was deflected in by
Darian Powell.
The Golden Eagles held on to the advantage deep into the second half despite a 9-2 disadvantage in shots on net, until sophomore
Steffi Hardy (Workington, England) drew the Jaguars level. Freshman
Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England) sent in a deep free kick from near the right touchline that found the foot of Hardy, who volleyed it home for her second goal of the season.
"It was a good set-piece delivery from Jemma, and Steffi got the outside of her foot to it," Winkworth said. "She wasn't sure whether to go up for it or not, and I told her, Yeah, get on up there. I'm glad I said that because she got on the end of it and it was a good finish.
"From there I thought we carried the momentum. We could have sat back and played back to where we were at the beginning, but we tried to push on for the winner."
USA junior
Sarah Hay (Waxahachie, Texas) allowed one goal and made four saves. Her counterpart,
Amanda Engel had 11 stops and one goal allowed.
The Jaguars return to action Sunday in their final non-conference contest of the season, traveling to Southern Miss for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
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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