TROY, Ala. – Two first-half goals were the difference as the University of South Alabama soccer team opened Sun Belt Conference play with a 2-1 victory over in-state rival Troy Friday night at the Troy Soccer Complex.

The Jaguars improve to 7-2-1 overall while the Trojans drop to 7-3 and 0-1.

USA has won the last three meetings in the series, all by a single goal. The last two regular-season matchups have been decided by a 2-1 margin.

"I thought it was a game of two halves," said Jaguar head coach Graham Winkworth. "In the first half I thought we played some good football, moved the ball around, attacked in good areas and created chances. In the second half, I was hoping for that to continue, and credit to Troy because they worked extremely hard and got themselves on the scoresheet. We made hard work of it. We defended like warriors, and it wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing second half, but it was pull your sleeves up and work your socks off. I couldn't be more proud of their performance.

"I want to say a special thanks to all the fans that came – not only the parents, but all the fans and the students that got on the bus and traveled up here to cheer on our team. They really were our 12th player tonight and made a difference. They pushed us over the line and without them, I'm not sure we'd be sitting here with a victory. I want to thank the school for putting on the bus for us because it was the difference."

The Jags peppered the Trojan goal with 15 shots – holding a 10-3 advantage in the first half – and put seven on goal. Defensively USA allowed just five attempts on the night.

South Alabama struck early, getting a quick goal from sophomore Chelsea Followwell (Sachse, Texas) just 3:23 into the match.

"There was a very loud crowd and it quieted them up pretty quickly," Winkworth said. "We settled down because we played some really attractive football in that first half. We settled down and moved the ball around – it was fun to coach and to watch, and I'm sure it was fun to play in. The girls were buzzing at halftime – we said it was a dangerous score, and it was. Troy proved that and in the second half we just had to pull our socks up and get on with it. I'm really pleased with the way we defended and our workrate in the second half."

The Jaguars doubled their lead in the 34th minute on a set piece. Freshman Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England) hooked up with sophomore Steffi Hardy (Workington, England) for the second time in three games, and Hardy headed it home for her third goal of the season.

"It was huge," Winkworth said of the goal. "We were so bad at them last year, so I set the girls a target at the beginning of the season of winning the set-piece battle. I've been pleasantly surprised. A lot of it comes down to, not only the finishing, but the delivery of the ball, and we've got some players that can deliver a set piece from any angle. It's made a huge difference for us."

Troy pulled one back early in the second half on a long free kick, but managed just one attempt the rest of the contest. No Trojan had more than one shot all game.

USA junior Sarah Hay (Waxahachie, Texas) made two saves in 90 minutes, while Troy's Mikki Lewis stopped five shots and allowed both goals.

"It's a huge win because Troy will be challenging for the title," noted Winkworth. "They'll be in the top half of the league at the end of the season – they're very talented. So to come to them on the opening night of the league season and pick up a result, I'm not sure anyone else will do that this season – they're that good. I want to give a lot of credit to them because they are well-coached and extremely talented and we've come away with an excellent result against a very good team."

The Jaguars return to action in one week, traveling to Louisiana-Lafayette Oct. 2 for a 7 p.m. start.

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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