TROY, Ala. – Goals less than two minutes apart in the second half broke a scoreless tie to lift the University of South Alabama soccer team to a 3-1 victory against Belmont Sunday afternoon at the Troy Soccer Complex.

The Jaguars win their second in a row to improve to 2-1-1. The Bruins drop to 0-2-2.

"I thought today was very similar to Friday in that for a majority of the match we didn't show up and were very poor," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "We didn't look to get on the ball enough, we weren't moving off the ball or wanting the ball. It needed someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Our first half was very disappointing.

"At halftime we spoke about that and at least improved our intensity levels and our willingness to work in the second half. It paid off."

Sophomore Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England) and junior Ashlynn Jones (Pickerington, Ohio) teamed up for the two quick scores, starting at the 59:28 mark. Purfield's was an unassisted shot from 22 yards out on the left wing, and 1:45 later, Jones took a pass from freshman Alexis Jordan (Mesquite, Texas) and beat the goalkeeper 1-on-1.

"The biggest changes we made were putting Hannah Godfrey and Danielle Henley on at halftime," Winkworth said. "Hannah is a vocal presence at the back and is a worker. She's come so far since last year and she was an immense presence in that second half; she was a difference maker. We were trying to rest Danielle for next weekend but we ended up needing her. The difference for her is that she wanted the ball a lot, even if under pressure. She gave us that composure in the midfield and we kept the ball a little better when she was in."

"Our captain (Purfield) took the game by the scruff of the neck and belted in a fantastic strike, which is what the game needed," Winkworth stated. "Jemma leads in so many ways, but she decided she was going to take over and rifled one in. Alexis played a fantastic diagonal ball and we got an excellent finish from Ashlynn. We were 2-0 up and very comfortable."

The two goals came during a dominant stretch that saw South Alabama reel off eight unanswered shots, with six of those finding the target. Purfield and Jones each forced to the goalkeeper to make a save in addition to their goals during the span of 24:38.

"That 25-minute spell is exactly what we expect of the team, but we don't expect it for 25 minutes, we expect it for 90 minutes. If we do perform at that level for 90 minutes, then we're an NCAA Tournament-level team. But if we only perform for 25 minutes, we're going to struggle as the season goes on. It's a mental thing that the girls know they have the capability, but need to be mentally stronger and start the game stronger. We started slowly today and we can't afford to do that on Sunday afternoons."

Belmont pulled one back in the waning moments, getting a goal from just outside the 18-yard box with 3 ½ minutes to play, but was unable to get another shot off, and junior Chardé Hannah (Tupelo, Miss.) finished off the match with five seconds remaining.

"The team shut them out and played smartly in the final few minutes," Winkworth said. "We stuck on an extra defender as well and fortunately denied them from having another opportunity."

The Jags held a narrow 14-13 advantage in shots, including 10-8 on goal.

In her first collegiate appearance, freshman Justice Stanford (The Colony, Texas) made seven saves and allowed the one goal in 90 minutes. The Bruins' Stephanie Bukovec also had seven saves.

"The goal was harsh on Justice because she had made seven good saves in the match, caught a couple of nice crosses out as well and was having an excellent game for her debut.

"Justice did everything that was asked of her efficiently. No major saves to make, but what she was asked to do, she did it very well and very confidently. It's nice having a goalkeeper like Justice to push Sarah (Hay) along as well. We're very fortunate to have four good goalkeepers on our roster."

South Alabama returns home next weekend for a pair of matches, hosting Mississippi State on Friday and No. 1 Florida State on Monday.

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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