KENNESAW, Ga. – South Alabama women's soccer opened the 2022 season with a 2-1 victory over Kennesaw State Thursday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The Owls scored the first goal of the game, but the Jaguars answered back with a pair of unanswered goals to pick up the win.
 
After a quiet first 40 minutes for both teams, Kennesaw State got on the board first when freshman Mai Jensen scored her first collegiate goal in the 41^st minute. The Jags stunned the Owls with an equalizer, as Gracie Wilson tapped in a loose ball in the 42^nd minute to even the match at 1-1. 
 
South took the lead early in the second half when sophomore Monique Gray scored her first goal of the season in the 50^th minute and the Jag defense held off the Owl attack from there. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Kennesaw State got on the board late in the first half on Jensen's goal in the 41^st minute. 
• South Alabama quickly answered with an equalizer in the 42^nd minute after Wilson tapped in a cross from Abby Jacobs. 
• Gray gave the Jags a 2-1 lead with a goal in the 50^th minute. 

 
GAME NOTES

• Freshmen Lilly Lowery and Gabriela Angulo got their first starts as Jaguars.
• Wilson and Gray scored their first goals of the season, increasing their career totals to 22 and two, respectively. 
• Thursday's win was head coach Richard Moodie's 65^th at South Alabama. 
• The Jags took 14 shots while the Owls took eight. 
• Sixteen Jags saw the pitch in Thursday's match. 
• Wilson, Jacobs and Micaela Dusseault played all 90 minutes. 

 
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Richard Moodie
On the game: "It was a good first game to get out of the way. Fantastic opponent that challenged us in areas we needed to be challenged in tonight. It looked like a first game of the season but when you're down a goal and then come back and win it, it just shows resilience and the mentality of the squad. We are growing and I felt like we deserved the win."
 
On the upcoming match at Jacksonville State: "We just need to regroup and see where we're at. We are a bit fortunate with this team that we've got so much depth and we can play players at any given time and we don't skip a beat. We can rotate bodies in and we still look good. We'll get some footage and see where we can improve."
 
UP NEXT
The Jaguars continue opening weekend on the road as they travel to Jacksonville (Ala.) to face in-state foe Jacksonville State on Sunday at noon. 
 
FOLLOW THE JAGS
For complete coverage of South Alabama soccer, follow the Jags on social media @SouthAlabamaSOC (Twitter), /SouthAlabamaAthletics (Facebook), @southalabamasoccer (Instagram) or visit the official home of South Alabama athletics at usajaguars.com.
 
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