MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team used a pair of first-half goals to defeat Texas State 2-1 Friday night at The Cage.

The Jaguars snap a two-game skid and improve to 10-4-1 overall and 5-2 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Bobcats drop to 6-8-2 and 3-4-1.

Juniors Ashlynn Jones (Pickerington, Ohio) and Caroline Torrens (Pace, Fla.) each scored before halftime as the Jaguars scored twice in the opening half for the first time since Sept. 18 against Georgia Southern, and the second time all season.

"Honestly, I thought we played better last week," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "We moved the ball around a lot better last week and kept possession a lot more, but today the difference was we were clinical in the penalty area. Ashlynn scored a beauty and we finished a good one on a set piece as well – I'm really happy to see Caroline get on the scoresheet.

"I'm happy to get the win and happy we were better in the penalty areas tonight, but we've got to get back to playing more simple, attractive soccer that we've been playing the last few weeks to continue our growth."

Jaguar goalkeeper Justice Stanford (The Colony, Texas) was not forced to make a save, but allowed the one goal. The Bobcats attempted just seven shots total.

"We did limit their chances and that's important to us," Winkworth said. "They're not going to score too many on our back line, I feel, but we have conceded goals in the last few matches so we have to look at the reasons for that and try to limit the errors we make at that end of the pitch."

South Alabama outshot Texas State 17-7, with 10 attempts hitting the target. In the first half, seven of USA's eight shots were on goal.

"Seven out of eight beats the 10 out of 28 last week," Winkworth stated. "We were much better in front of goal and I was really proud of that. What a lovely finish for Ashlynn early in the game. She had spurts in the match where she was excellent."

Jones finished off a throughball from sophomore Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England), placing her shot into the upper right corner at 17:33.

Torrens recorded her first goal in a South Alabama uniform at the 38:48 mark, putting home a rebound off a shot from sophomore Hannah Godfrey (Thornton-Cleveleys, England), and the Jags took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

Texas State pulled one back with 13:54 left off the foot of Lauren Prater, but the Bobcats managed just one more shot the rest of the way.

"We got an opportunity to rotate in some players," Winkworth said of the early advantage. "Obviously it's going to be a little disjointed, not because of the level of the players going in – we've got a great squad and everyone did a great job individually – but when you make so many changes, it's hard to stay cohesive, no matter who you put on the pitch, because they're not used to playing with the same people. We have to work to play together a little more if we're going to be successful on Sunday."

The Jaguars host Sun Belt-leader Coastal Carolina Sunday at 1 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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