MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team will conclude a three-game road trip Friday and looks to extend its six-match win streak against Louisiana-Monroe.

Kickoff between the teams tied for the top spot in the Sun Belt Conference is set for 4 p.m. at the ULM Soccer Complex.

Friday's tilt will also be the Jaguars' fifth road game in the last six outings.

"Playing on the road is very difficult and getting points in the league on the road is exceptionally difficult," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "I've looked at the statistics, and not including us, two out of every three matches is won by the home team so far this season. For us to be 2-0 on the road is fantastic. I'm really pleased with what we've done. Obviously, it would be nice after this weekend, to get back and have four in a row at The Cage, but we're 100 percent focused on this next road trip and looking forward to a difficult match."

South Alabama enters the match with an 8-2-1 overall record and a 3-0 mark in the Sun Belt. Of the team's last six wins, five have been by a 1-0 score, including both matches last weekend against Arkansas State and Little Rock.

"I think other teams are really showing us a lot of respect and playing in a conservative, defensive manner, similar to what we've done to teams in the past, like Florida State for example," Winkworth noted. "It's a huge compliment to our program that teams are looking at us in that way now. The good thing for us is, the more teams do that, the more practice we're getting against it and the more chances we're getting. We don't care if teams do sit in and try to defend in a conservative manner. Hopefully we'll be able to create more and more chances as games progress."

All six wins in the Jags' streak have been via shutout, a new school record. The team is fourth in the nation in save pct (.909), 12th in goals against avg (.434) and 17th in shutout pct (.636). Freshman Justice Stanford (The Colony, Texas), who has been in goal for all six shutouts, is second in Division I in goals against average (0.14) and save percentage (.964).

Four of USA's last five opponents have been held to single-digit shot totals, including five total in back-to-back matches against Georgia Southern and Arkansas State.

"People say defense wins championships – I think good defense, good offense, good preparation, good training, good tactical awareness, and a good mentality wins championships," Winkworth stated. "But quality defending is very important to our program. If we don't concede many goals, we're not going to lose many games. That's proven to be the case. I think we are creating chances in the attacking third, we've just not been clinical enough in recent matches. When we do finally click in that area of the field, the 1-0 will become more. In the meantime, if we're not conceding any goals, then we can continue to keep what is an excellent run going."

Louisiana-Monroe, which has the second-longest active win streak in the league at four, is led by former South Alabama assistant Keyton Wheelock. In her three years on the USA staff, Wheelock was a part of three Sun Belt Tournament titles and two regular-season championships.

"It's going to be great," Winkworth said. "Keyton and I have a lot of respect for one another. We had an excellent three years with each other. She's a hard-working, excellent coach, who will go on and have an excellent career. I'm so happy she got this opportunity. She's already had the best conference season in ULM's history and I'm really cheering her on every game, apart from this weekend. I'm hoping she can make the conference tournament for the first time in their history. She does have an extra cheerleader in me, just not on Friday."

The Warhawks' four-game run puts them at 6-4-1 overall and 3-0 in the SBC. Three of their last four wins have been via shutout, and they rank second in the league in goals allowed (0.82), and third in goals against average (0.80) and shutouts (6).

"Keyton was a goalkeeper in her playing days and is obviously going to be defensive-minded first," Winkworth said. "She's changed the mentality to a hard-working team. Defending is a lot about hard work, so I'm sure that's the area she focused on first. I'm sure she has the same thought that if she doesn't concede any goals, she can always nick one at the other end. That's proven to be the case in their recent matches."

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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