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MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team scored 102 seconds in the match and went on to defeat Sun Belt Conference-leading Coastal Carolina 4-1 Sunday afternoon at The Cage.

The Jaguars move to 11-4-1 overall and 6-2 in the Sun Belt, one point behind the Chanticleers, who drop to 9-5-2 and 6-2-1.

Prior to the contest, South Alabama held a ceremony for its four seniors: Monique Autmon (Ocean Springs, Miss.), Emily Farrell (Burnley, England), Sarah Hay (Waxahatchie, Texas) and Nikki Shirtcliffe (Burnley, England).

"I thought the game was excellent and the girls really stepped up," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "Sometimes we've been a little lethargic on Sundays, but today the energy levels were excellent and it showed early in the game. They really executed the game plan really well and defended well. We never looked like conceding a goal and put the ball on target. All in all, it was an excellent performance against a very good Coastal Carolina team."

Junior Rio Hardy (Workington, England) recorded a goal and an assist – scoring the match winner – and was one of four different Jags to hit the back of the net.

"I think we just showed up and everything fell on a good day," Winkworth said. "That result has been coming for a few weeks now. We've been unfortunate with some other results; we've played as well but just not won games. Today, lady luck was with us; the second one that goes in off the post, was coming out two weeks ago."

The first goal of the contest came at the 1:42 mark from junior Steffi Hardy (Workington, England) off a corner kick, and twin sister Rio deflected home a cross from junior Chardé Hannah (Tupelo, Miss.) at 30:33 to double the lead.

"It was senior day and the girls wanted to make sure that the girls that have worked so hard for us over the last four years went out on a high," Winkworth stated. "They really honored them with a strong performance today.

"It looked like they were going to sit back and defend, because they only needed a draw today. Scoring early really changed that for them. It opened the game up a little bit and allowed us to get on the scoresheet a couple of times."

In the second half, USA scored less than two minutes apart to put the game away. Junior Danielle Henley (Hattiesburg, Miss.) put back a rebound from Rio Hardy at 68:39, then freshman Kory Dixon (Roanoke, Texas) scored her first career goal 89 seconds later off a cross from sophomore Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England).

South Alabama outshot Coastal Carolina 28-10 on the contest – 14-4 in the first half alone – and put 13 of those 28 attempts on net.

The Chanticleers scored on a penalty kick with 41.6 seconds left in the contest to avoid the shutout.

Freshman Justice Stanford (The Colony, Texas) played 76:26 in net for the Jags and made three saves while not allowing a goal. Hay played 13:34 and made one stop. Coastal Carolina's Austin Becca went the distance and made nine saves.

South Alabama completes the regular season on the road next weekend, starting Friday at 6 p.m. against Georgia State.

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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