FOLEY, Ala. – Senior Moa Öhman scored a brace and the University of South Alabama soccer team put up five goals to defeat Arkansas State 5-0 to win the Jaguars' sixth Sun Belt Conference Tournament title in the last seven years Sunday at the Foley Sports Complex.

The top-seeded Jaguars win their eighth in a row to improve to 16-3-2, and will await their opponent in the NCAA Tournament. The Red Wolves drop to 10-6-4.

GAME FACTS
- Senior Briana Morris almost got the Jaguars on the board in the sixth minute but her shot from inside the box was tipped over the bar
- Öhman scored her first of the afternoon at 12:54 when she deflected in a long cross from sophomore Tilly Wilkes
- Wilkes factored in the Jags' next goal as well after her corner kick was sent in the Red Wolves' own net at 18:24
- Freshman Bergdís Fanney Einarsdóttir forced a diving save in the 23rd minute, and a follow from Öhman was blocked
- Arkansas State had to go with 10 players for the final 65 minutes after Olivia Smith was sent off
- Seconds later, Wilkes sent another long cross in from the left side that senior Briana Morris hit on the half-volley at 25:12 for a 3-0 lead
- The Red Wolves pulled one back just before halftime on a goal by Sarah Sodoma
- South Alabama wasted little time in putting the game away in the second half, scoring twice in the first six minutes
- Sophomore Brenna McPartlan converted a penalty at 48:13, and just over two minutes later, Öhman added her second by heading in a corner kick
- Senior goalkeepers Justice Stanford and Laurie Graves combined for one save in the winning effort

NOTES
- Morris was named Most Outstanding Performer of the tournament; she was joined on the all-tournament team by Öhman, McPartlan, graduate Tabea Griss and Stanford
- South Alabama's six tournament titles are second-most in Sun Belt history (Denver, 7)
- Morris' season goal total of 16 is tied for third in school history, and her goals per game average of 0.76 is tied for fourth
- South Alabama is 17-0-3 in Sun Belt Tournament games since 2013, and 68-11-7 in all games against Sun Belt opponents in that same time span
- The Jaguars have an 18-1 goal differential in their six Sun Belt final appearances; today's game was the first goal allowed by the Jags in a final
- Freshman Gracie Wilson was credited with an assist, giving her nine on the season, tied for 10th in school history
- Wilson has 17 points on the year, tying the most by a Jaguar freshman since Jemma Purfield in 2015
- USA's 11 shots on goal are tied for the fourth-most in a Sun Belt Tournament game since 2009

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richard Moodie
On the game today: "I'm delighted. It was a strong first 25 minutes, we were on the scoreboard early and I think they panicked a little. The sending off changed the game. We looked good going into halftime and we came out early in the second half and put our foot down; that killed them off. They're a little unhappy because they think we can do better, and that's a good thing as a coach."

On Wilkes: "She's an unbelievable talent. She's had to grow and develop in a lot of different areas of the game. She comes to practice every day working hard and you never get anything less than 100%. Great performance from her."

On rebounding from a non-title season last year: "You step back, you self-reflect after a poor season and you just regroup. The girls here are very humble about their opportunity to be here. We talked all day about respecting every opponent because last year that happened to us as well when we were losing. To be where we're at right now, I'm extremely proud. I really feel for Arkansas State; they've had an exceptional season, they have a good coach in Brian Dooley and they'll definitely be a team for the future."

On doing something in the NCAA Tournament: "We want to go on and make the Sun Belt proud. South Alabama has made it to the second round before, so when you talk about making the program better, that's something that the girls call BHAG: Big Hairy Audacious Goals. We want to represent the conference and I think we're the right team to do it."

UP NEXT
The Jaguars will play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against an opponent to be announced.

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).

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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