MOBILE, Ala. – Murray State's Harriet Withers recorded a pair of unassisted goals – both off University of South Alabama giveaways – to lead the Racers' soccer team to a 2-1 comeback victory Sunday afternoon at The Cage.
Jaguar senior Tiina Trutsi converted from the spot at 15:08 for an early lead, but Withers scored a goal in each half, the last coming in the 68th minute for the win.
GAME FACTS
-Withers' first goal came at 35:16, following a Jaguar throw-in in their defensive third. Murray State applied pressure, and a heavy first touch gave the ball directly to Withers, who converted into the upper corner from about 15 yards out.
-The second came on an intercepted back pass at midfield. Withers got past her defender and beat the goalkeeper off the left post.
-Trutsi's goal came after she was fouled in the penalty area. She placed her shot into the right corner.
-Murray State outshot South Alabama 8-2 in the second half, and recorded the first eight of the half. USA didn't have an attempt until the 78th minute after winning the battle 10-3 before intermission.
-The shots on goal were tied at 5-5.
-USA's Justice Stanford made three saves, while Alex Steigerwald had four stops for MSU.
NOTES
-Trutsi's penalty is the team's first since Jemma Purfield converted from the spot at Appalachian State on Oct. 23, 2016.
-South Alabama is 0-3 to start a season for the first time since 2006.
-Today's loss snaps a five-match win streak against Ohio Valley Conference schools. The last loss came at Murray State in 2012.
-Trutsi's goal is the second of her career and first since her freshman year.
-Trutsi accounted for two of the team's five shots on goal – she and senior Chelsea Followwell have seven of the team's 10 on the year
THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richard Moodie
Overall thoughts on the game: "It's disappointing, to be honest. We were at home for the first game and we looked off the pace a little bit. All credit to them – they came in here and worked hard. It was their second game of the weekend and we were a bit rusty and haven't played in a week. No excuses from us. It just wasn't acceptable, the level of intensity. Our ability to play is so much better than what we put on today. Apologies to the fans, but I think this team has the ability to do better. They will and they'll bounce back."
On Murray State's two goals: "We made two very similar mistakes. The first goal they scored was off a throw-in for us deep in our half. The second goal they scored was a throw-in deep in their half. What makes you feel bad as a coach is you just worked on that the day before. I think we had to tinker with our formation a little too much – there were too many people coming in and out – and formations were changing just to try and get something. We eventually got a shape that worked, but we seem to beat ourselves up when it's not gone our way. This is anybody's game, all the way down to the last second, and I don't think we thought we could come back and win, even though we came from two goals down against an SEC team. We're pushing this team hard. Injuries and suspensions just gives other people an opportunity to step up, and you would've liked to have seen people take that opportunity and make the most of it."
On any adjustments Murray State made: "When they're in that 3-5-2, we changed our formation to get our midfielders back on the ball a little bit and we struggled with their wingbacks. Those wingbacks got on the ball, we were stepping out and they were playing around us. It led to all sorts of problems. They're a good, hard-working team with a great forward. No. 12 was fantastic. Every time she got on the ball, we were worried and nervous. It's a great performance from them and to do it two straight games on the road including here, is a massive result for them."
On correcting the mistakes made: "You'd like to think you can correct them easily but it seems like the goals we have conceded this year have been mistakes. As a coach, it's great because you're not trying to fix monumental problems. Those little mistakes and errors shouldn't happen for a team of this caliber. You just switch off for a second and it costs you. Luck hasn't gone our way yet, but we're going to keep working hard and hopefully we'll get those breaks. It's nothing for us to worry about yet. We have quality players – the hardest thing is getting the 11 on the field that we want to see together. We haven't been able to do that since we got here."
UP NEXT
The Jaguars host a tournament this weekend, starting Friday with Jacksonville State vs. Troy and 4 p.m., and South Alabama vs. Alabama at 7:30 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).
Join the Upper 90 Club, the soccer specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All gifts to the Upper 90 Club go directly to support the South Alabama soccer program. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/upper90
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