SAN MARCOS, Texas – University of South Alabama junior Ana Helmert scored in the 109th minute to give the Jaguars a 1-0 double-overtime victory over Texas State Thursday night at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.

The Jags win their Sun Belt opener and improve to 6-2-1 and 1-0. The Bobcats drop their third straight at fall to 4-4-1, 0-1.

GAME FACTS
- South Alabama peppered the Texas State goal with seven shots before halftime, including three on goal, but was unable to hit the back of the net
- The Bobcats held a 6-5 advantage in shots in the second half, but only put one on target
- Graduate Athanasia Moraitou had an opportunity for the Jags just before the end of regulation, but missed high
- Texas State recorded the only two shots in the first overtime, both in the first three minutes by Kaylee Davis and Jordan Kondikoff, but missed wide right and left, respectively
- USA sophomore Brenna McPartlan tested TXST goalkeeper Heather Martin early in the second extra frame, but Martin came up with the save
- Helmert's game-winner came at the 108:04 mark off a corner kick from freshman Gracie Wilson

NOTES
- Tonight's game was a matchup between the top two preseason favorites in the conference; Texas State was the preseason pick to win the title
- The match was delayed almost an hour in the second half due to lightning
- South Alabama is 1-0 in league play for the sixth straight season, and unbeaten in seven consecutive league openers
- USA is 6-1-2 all-time vs. TXST, including 3-0 in San Marcos
- The Bobcats are winless in their last five outings
- Helmert has tied her career high in goals (4), set in her freshman season
- Wilson's assist is her fifth of the season, a team high
- The Jaguars are 4-1-4 in overtime games since the start of the 2017 season

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richard Moodie
Overall thoughts: "I'm really excited to come out on the winning end this year. Last year we played them close and tonight was close, and it shows how competitive the conference is. I'm just excited about the efforts of the girls and that they were able to pull off the win. It was a true battle and credit to both teams."

On why it was so important to get the win: "Last year we made the mistake of getting impatient so we threw bodies at them, and ended up conceding. Tonight we wanted to be a little more patient and had the mentality of a point is better than no points. We were willing to see it out, and if we could create chances, we would. A win is important for a lot of reasons because it alters things in the conference ever so slightly, but at the same time, it gives us a lot of confidence moving forward. A point would've been good, three points is even better. The girls have been putting in a lot of work so truthfully, I think they deserve it."

On Helmert's goal: "We had two corners in a row and we were really pressing them. The game was wide open so it's not like they didn't have chances, but we took the first corner and I thought we could've scored off that, then Gracie was able to whip another one in right on top of the keeper and Ana just had that goal-scoring instinct and smashed it home."

UP NEXT
The Jaguars resume Sun Belt Conference play Sunday at Louisiana with a 1 p.m. kickoff.

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

—USA—