MOBILE, Ala. – Despite outshooting Samford 17-13, including 8-4 on goal, the University of South Alabama soccer team was unable to find the net in a 0-0 draw with Samford Friday night at The Cage.

The game was the season opener for both teams.

"I couldn't be prouder of the girls," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "I thought it was one of the best performances we've had since I've been here. Samford are a very good team with amazing players. We've got 11 players of the game over here, but their goalkeeper was very special tonight, so all credit to her.

"It's a great result, 0-0 against a team like Samford, but on the night I felt we deserved a little bit more. Hopefully we can have a little more luck on Sunday when we entertain Auburn."

The two teams combined to hit the post and crossbar three times, once each from juniors Chardé Hannah (Tupelo, Miss.) and Danielle Henley (Hattiesburg, Miss.). Henley put four of her five attempts on net.

"I thought we did a decent job at switching the point of attack," Winkworth said. "We possessed the ball reasonably well. We were patient in the final third, and we created some decent opportunities and weren't just hitting it from anywhere. The woodwork wasn't on our side today."

The Bulldogs' Katie Peters made eight saves in net while going the distance. She had five stops in the second half alone, as the Jaguars put up 10 shots to Samford's three.

In the extra periods, Samford outshot South Alabama 5-2 but was able to put just one on target.

Senior Sarah Hay (Waxahatchie, Texas) made four saves for the Jaguars, who held the Bulldogs to four shots on goal in 13 attempts.

"We were very strong defensively," Winkworth said. "We've got so much talent, not only from the starting group tonight, but sitting on the bench as well. Our backline is phenomenal and we defended well from the front too. I couldn't be prouder of them."

South Alabama hosts No. 12 Auburn Sunday evening at 6 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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