MOBILE, Ala. – The 2018 University of South Alabama soccer season is right around the corner, and head coach Richard Moodie will open his second season in charge with the team's first training session Wednesday afternoon.

The team reports Tuesday, and following a conditioning test Wednesday morning, will take the field for the first time later that afternoon.

"I'm excited and nervous, because we've got the fitness test as the first thing on the agenda, so you hope they've come in conditioned and ready to go," Moodie said. "We're looking forward to it. There's a genuine excitement within camp and we're all eager to figure out how good we can be. It's going to be a good first day."

Tuesday's training session is just one week out from the team's first of two exhibition contests. The Jaguars will take on Alabama A&M on Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. in Foley, Ala.

"It's crazy but we have to do it," Moodie said about playing an exhibition game so early. "I see way more value in us playing a game earlier than continuing to practice and scrimmaging amongst ourselves. It's good to test the waters with what we've learned. I think we have enough time strategically between arriving at camp and playing the first game to get tactically organized. Hopefully we can catch on quick.

"This forces us to introduce tactics from day one, because you're trying to prep for a game and it's not like you can just do drills. Tactically, you have to jump on top of them right away and suffocate them with the game model and how you expect them to play."

This year's squad has just two seniors, and only one with significant experience: reigning Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Godfrey. Entering her second season as a team captain, Godfrey has played the most minutes of any Jaguar over the last two seasons.

"Her role is massive, but it's not any different than what she does every day," Moodie said. "Hannah is around this program morning, noon and night – she puts the work in. She loves the program and there's a genuine passion for South Alabama soccer. She'll be instrumental in making the student-athletes feel welcome and help them adjust. We're lucky to have her."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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