TROY, Ala. – Freshmen Kate Nicolson and Lexi Lloyd-Smith each scored their first collegiate goals as the University of South Alabama women's soccer team claimed victory over Alabama A&M, 8-1, Friday at the Troy Tournament hosted by the Trojans at the Troy Soccer Complex.

The Jaguars (1-0-0) kept the offensive pressure on throughout the match outshooting the Bulldogs 25-3. Multiple newcomers scored their first career goals for South Alabama during the match. 

Date: 8/20
Place: Troy Soccer Complex (Troy, Ala.)
Final Score: South Alabama 8, Alabama A&M 1
Records: South Alabama (1-0-0), Alabama A&M (0-0-1)

GAME FACTS
- Nicolson found the back of the net in the first minute of the match after receiving a pass from Danielle Fuentes. 
- Abby Jacobs tacked on another goal for South Alabama in the 11th minute of the match to take a 2-0 lead over the Bulldogs. 
- Lloyd-Smith struck and netted a goal also in the 11th minute, she was assisted by Kailey Littleford to put USA up 3-0. 
- Littleford recorded her second assist of the match when she found Gracie Wilson in the attacking third to net a goal and give USA the lead 4-0 going into the half. 
- The Bulldogs answered early in the second half when Lauryn Christophe scored a goal to put the team on the board.
- Nicolson scored a brace off an assist from Wilson at the 52-minute mark to extend USA's lead to 5-1 in the second half.
- Sophomore Morgan White and Lloyd-Smith combined for a goal in the 65th minute to make the score 6-1.
- Imane Addi scored her first goal as a Jaguar while attacking four minutes later bringing the Jaguar lead to 7-1. 
- Ole Miss transfer Sydney Ham took a pass from Lloyd-Smith and struck the back of the net late in the match to secure the 8-1 win for USA.

NOTES
- The match was delayed almost two hours due to inclimate weather.
- USA led in all offensive categories during the match with 25 shots, 15 on target and six corners, while holding Alabama A&M to three shots total and not allowing any corner kicks from the Bulldogs.
- Six Jaguars – Nicolson, Jacobs, Lloyd-Smith, White, Addi and Ham – scored their first collegiate goals during the match.
- Lloyd-Smith led the match with one goal and two assists.
- South took its fifth victory in the series with Alabama A&M, which is now 5-2 since the first meeting between the two in 2000.
- South Alabama is now 14-12-2 in season openers and has won five of the last 10.

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richard Moodie
- On the win: "The first half was a bit shaky and I wasn't sure how the match was going to pan out, but we had more energy going into the second half. We had some really good individual performances around the field and made some good connections. Our student-athletes are starting to work together and that's good to see."

- On Kate Nicolson's performance: "Kate is a young lady who wants to score, she's a great center back. We feel confident with her back there, but at the same time when she moves forward she becomes an aerial threat and always looks like she's going to get on the scoresheet. A great performance from her leading in the back of the field."

- On the newcomers' impact on the match: "You look at the names on the scoresheet and it's not just one, it's multiple individuals on there. The student-athletes that we've brought in are eager to prove themselves. There were some really good goals and individual performances tonight."

UP NEXT
- The Jags will finish up at the Troy Tournament on Sunday when they face Nicholls at 11 a.m. 

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—