STATESBORO, Ga. – Sophomore Gracie Wilson knocked in Senior Deanna Green's cross at the 21:14 mark of the first half as the University of South Alabama soccer team defeated Georgia Southern, 1-0, Friday night at Eagle Field.

In a methodical game where Georgia Southern sat back in defense and made USA break them down, chances were at a premium on the cool night. The Jaguars were held to single-digit shots (9) for the first time this season after the Eagles kept a solid formation and played defense deep into their own half.

Georgia Southern turned a corner after playing USA exactly three weeks ago, before going to Troy and getting its first win on the season, and was a more disciplined team that was tactically sound throughout the contest. Throwing numbers forward in the final 10 minutes, the Eagles looked to tie the match with a few corner kicks and a free kick, but a counter-attack from South almost put the game out of reach as an errant pass ended the threat and gave the hosts pause before pushing again.

GAME FACTS
- A slow start to the match featured no shots until the 13th minute as the Eagles' Brogan Boudreaux missed the Jaguar net wide to the left.
- Freshman Izzy Ford collected possession and started the Jaguar offensive move. Ford connected with Green up field on the attacking right side, where the right back took the ball in stride. The senior out of Madison, Miss., rocked a low driven cross aiming for the six-yard box. Wilson beat the defense to the ball and side footed the ball at net. Eagle goal keeper Sara Story got a glove on the ball, but could not turn away Wilson's effort as the Jaguars went up, 1-0, seconds over 21 minutes into the match.
- Wilson made another effort seven minutes later, and that was the final shot of the first half as neither team could create a chance with both defenses locking down the pitch for the remaining 16 minutes.
- South adjusted to the Eagles' defense and ripped four shots in the first 10 minutes of the second half, two requiring saves from the Georgia Southern goalie.
- In the 68th minute, Anita Gudmundsdottir made her first save as Brooke Barrett put the shot on net for the Eagles marking their first shot of the second half.
- South sought to close up the defense and just take the 1 nil win as Georgia Southern started pushing numbers forward in the 85th minute. The Eagles looked to capitalize when a loose ball dropped to the advancing offense. A foul from a Jag defender left the Georgia Southern offense an opportunity to tie the match with 75 seconds remaining in regulation. Marcela Montoya got her free kick over the wall and dipping to go in goal as the outstretched glove of Gudmundsdottir tipped the shot over the cross bar and out of play.
- Southern would get a few more chances but the Jaguar defense made certain no shots made it to the goalkeeper as South held on for all three points on the league table.

NOTES
- South Alabama extended the winning streak in the series with Georgia Southern to 11, with a 13-1 lead all-time.
- Gudmundsdottir registered her fourth shutout in nine appearances between the pipes for USA. While the goalkeeper made only two saves, the second on
- Wilson put in her fourth goal of the year, moving her into sole possession of second in goals scored this season for the Jaguars
- The Conyers, Ga., native is tied for second in points on the team with junior Morgan Cross at nine.
- The 2019 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year has scored in back-to-back games now.
- Ford has picked up a pair of assists in three matches, and four points on the year, most of any freshman on the team.
- Green had an assist in each of the last two games. The starting back four as a whole is responsible for six assists on the year.
- Freshman Morgan White made her first start after appearing in eight games prior to tonight's match. The Birmingham, Ala., native recorded a pair of shots, with one on goal.

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richard Moodie
- On the result: "I thought we were working hard from minute one and that quality showed a mature performance. We could have probably scored a few more, but I thought our effort and performance reflected the score line.

- On Wilson's goal: "[Deanna] Green got involved and provided another assist. We ask a lot of our full backs going forward but she has worked hard to improve in that aspect of her game. It was a quality cross to a dangerous area and Wilson worked hard to get there first and pop it in. Full backs getting involved in our attack provides us with so many more quality opportunities."

- On the goalkeeping: "I think she [Anita Gudmundsdottir] needed it [the save in a crucial moment] tonight. She is a great goalkeeper but she didn't have much to do for a lot of the match, but when we needed her she came up with a big save. She absolutely deserves the recognition because she is a quality goal keeper and on top of that she had flawless distribution tonight."

Sophomore Gracie Wilson
- On the goal: "I just remember the ball going out wide, and I was playing the wing tonight and got to come inside to receive the cross. I saw [Deanna] make a move to go wide and as the cross came in I head the defender yell "Mine! Mine! Mine!" and when she put her head down to watch the ball in she slowed down. I sprinted in and beat her to the ball."

- On the team play: "Our defense was solid all night. [Morgan] White did well the entire game, coming in as a freshman in a crucial game she played brilliantly. The entire team did well, but another player that sticks out is [Deanna] Green. She did well in offense and defense, and picked up another assist."

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