THE COACHES
South Alabama
Richard Moodie (Carson-Newman. 2006)
Record at USA: 38-19-5 (4th Year)
Overall Record: 86-58-12 (9th Year)

Louisiana
Lance Key (Trinity, 2000)
Record at LA: 9-8-3 (2nd Year)
Overall Record: 218-29-20 (14th Year)

SERIES INFORMATION
UL: South Alabama leads 10-4-7

Current winning streak: N/A 2 draws
USA's last win in series: 2-1 (10/20/17) in Lafayette, La.
UL's last win in series: 3-2 (10/9/16) in Mobile
Last meeting: South Alabama 0, Louisiana 0 (9/22/19)
USA's record at neutral sites: 1-0
USA's longest winning / losing streak in series: 2 / 2
Notes: While South Alabama will open the season against Louisiana, UL will play its first game two days prior at home against Abilene Christian. The last Jaguar to score a goal against the Ragin' Cajuns was Morgan Cross. Cross headed in a long cross from Hannah Godfrey on Oct. 19, 2018, at The Cage in Mobile. Despite the previous contest resulting in a scoreless draw, for the 2019 season both clubs ranked in the top two for shots in the Sun Belt with first and third marks in the categories of goals scored, points and assists.

The University of South Alabama soccer team opens the 2020 fall season in a similar manner of how it would prefer it to finish; with a Sunday game against a Sun Belt member at the Foley Sports Complex.

USA will open the season with Louisiana; however, it will only count as a non-conference game for both clubs as COVID has made scheduling more difficult due to a plethora of opponents becoming unavailable.

The Ragin' Cajuns finished seventh last season and are picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll. Not to be underestimated, UL defeated the second-seed Troy in last year's Sun Belt postseason tournament. The last two times USA and UL have met the match concluded in a draw.

NOTES
- Fans will be allowed to attend the match at Foley Sports Complex, but will be required to follow COVID safety guidelines by wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing.
- This will be the first match played for South Alabama soccer since Feb. 23 (Mississippi State), and the first athletic home event since March 8 (softball, Appalachian State).
- A new goalkeeper will be between the posts for USA for the first time since 2016.
- The new net minder will be replacing 2019 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year Justice Stanford.
- Stanford made 79 starts with 80 games played for the Jaguars adding 10 shutouts last year.
- Either returner Anna Brunner, true freshmen Anita Gudmundsdottir or Allison Luckhardt will make their first collegiate start.
- The offense will be replacing 16-goal scorer Briana Morris.
- Morris lead the Jaguars and Sun Belt Conference with 16 goals scored and 34 points in 2019.
- Seniors Ana Helmert (4 goals, 1 assist in 2019) and Kory Dixon are eager to fill the role along with newcomer Matilda Ovenberger.
- The competition to play in the midfield will be fierce with Brenna McPartlan, Gracie Wilson, Athanasia Moraitou and Tabea Griss all returning.
- McPartlan started every game while Griss and Wilson played in each contest. Moraitou missed games when she was recalled for international duty on the Greek National Team.
- The backline will feature a new centerback playing alongside returning 2019 Second-Team All-Sun Belt Leandra Flury. Junior Tilly Wilkes and senior Deanna Green will be returning to their left and right back roles, respectively.
- JUCO transfer Gabrielle Gayle, returner Abey Nottingham or newcomer Leonie Salzgeber will attempt to claim a role in the starting 11.

THEY SAID IT
Head coach Richard Moodie
- On the opponent: "[Lance] Key has a good team at Louisiana and it will be an extremely good first game. We obviously have not played this year so we are treating the match a little like a preseason game. It is the first game against outside competition after preparing over summer so it will be a good test for us while also giving an opportunity to try out some new ideas. Although Louisiana is a conference opponent that can work in our favor as it gives us a chance to see how someone familiar with our team will treat the changes we implement early in the game."
- On the long layoff: "It has been a challenge, and the thought process commonly used is that you have more time to prepare and it will be beneficial, but it was not. There was anticipation and indecisiveness on top of the idea that there may not be a season. Although right now, it is getting closer, we will take the field on Sunday and there is an excitement in the air around the facility. This will be the first time since Feb. 28, that we will be taking the field competitively. Although everything outside the pitch will be a little different, this will be a step back to normal for the student-athletes."
- On the handling of COVID and athletics: "The Sun Belt Conference and South Alabama have been fantastic and in constant communication with us to keep us aware of the developing situations. It was a doubt in the back of everyone's mind that the season may happen, but due diligence was done and guidelines developed for the safety of everyone involved. For the benefit of the supporters, coaches and most of all student-athletes, we will follow these guidelines to the best of our abilities and hope that everyone else will too so we can continue to play."

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