BOONE, N.C. – Jane Cline's goal with 15 seconds left in double overtime – her second of the contest – gave Appalachian State a 4-3 victory over the University of South Alabama soccer team Sunday afternoon at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.

Sunday's contest was the regular-season finale for both teams. The Jaguars enter the Sun Belt Conference Tournament with a 12-5-1 record overall and 7-3 in the league, while the Mountaineers are 9-7-2 and 4-4-2.

Despite the loss, South Alabama still wins its third consecutive Sun Belt regular-season title due to Coastal Carolina's 2-2 draw with Louisiana-Lafayette. The Jaguars are the top seed in the tournament and will face No. 8 seed Troy on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

Head coach Graham Winkworth was not at the game due to an illness in his family.

"Firstly, I want to give a huge congratulations to App State. They were fighting for their lives and a seed in the tournament today, and that's exactly how they played," USA assistant coach Jo Chubb said. "They had a huge crowd, it was Senior Day and they were riled up. We couldn't match their desire and passion today. They definitely deserved the win.

"The defense as a whole didn't perform today. The back four, some of the midfield and all over the pitch, really, didn't have that desire. It wasn't the defensive performance we were asking from them today. That was disappointing."

Jaguar sophomore Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England) played a role in all three goals with a brace and an assist. The five points are a personal best and it is the first two-goal game of her career.

One of the two goals sent the game into overtime. She drilled a free kick into the upper-left corner with 1:32 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 3-3.

"We had to change things up and pushed her a bit further forward and once again she delivered," Chubb said. "We were fortunate that we had her on hand today."

The first shot in extra time was from South Alabama, but the next six came from Appalachian State. None of the first five hit the target, but Cline's effort on a breakaway at 109:45 did to clinch the contest.

"Honestly, the first eight minutes of the first overtime were the best eight minutes we played all game," Chubb said. "We were first to every ball and we created some chances. We definitely had the opportunity to win.

"In the second overtime, we looked tired at that point. They came out, searched for a goal and found it."

There were fireworks early in the match, with three goals being scored in the first 8:09, including two in the first three minutes.

South Alabama junior Steffi Hardy (Workington, England) scored just 51 seconds into the contest off a corner kick from Purfield, but Appalachian State equalized less than two minutes later on a goal by Cline.

The Jaguars regained the lead at the 8:09 mark when Purfield converted from the penalty spot, but the Mountaineers answered again in the 26th minute when Maggie Hanusek beat the USA keeper from 15 yards out.

"The crowd were absolutely insane; they were their 12th man today," Chubb said. "We scored in the first 51 seconds or so and we were comfortable, but maybe a little too comfortable because everyone knows the first five minutes after scoring or conceding a goal are the most dangerous parts of the game, and they capitalized on that. The game didn't settle until the first 25 minutes were over. We managed to settle down a play a little bit of soccer after that, but until then it was crazy."

The score remained deadlocked at 2-2 until the 65th minute when Erin Settle gave the Apps a 3-2 advantage off a pass from Jenn Bass.

Freshman Justice Stanford (The Colony) made six saves in goal for the Jaguars, and allowed all four goals. Sam Steyl had four saves and gave up three goals.

Up next for both teams is the Sun Belt Tournament in Foley, Ala., starting Nov. 2. First-round times and opponents will be announced Sunday afternoon.

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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