MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama women's soccer opened the home slate with a clean sheet, beating Queens 3-0 Thursday night at The Cage.
 
Both defenses were on display in the first half of the match, with Queens only taking one shot, while South took 6. The Jaguars broke the stalemate in the 36^th minute off a goal from Melina Descary, who found the back of the net off a lofting assist from Gabriela Angulo.
 
South held off the Queens attack, taking a 1-0 lead at the half.
 
In the second half, the Jaguars put more pressure on the Royals' defense, taking 12 shots compared to two from Queens. Chiara Singarella doubled the Jaguar lead with a left-footed goal from a Cloey Uddenberg assist, Singarella's second of the season.
 
Graduate student transfer Gabby Hollar extended the lead in the 83^rd minute, getting the Jaguars' first header goal of the season off an assist by defender Abby Jacobs.
 
Senior goalkeeper Allison Luckhardt saw the pitch for the first time since Sept. 17, 2021, and her first start at home since Sept. 2 of the same year. Luckhardt faced three shots on the night and tallied two saves, while recording a clean sheet.
 
The Jags finished the night with 18 shots, nine of them on frame.
 
SCORING SUMMARY

• Melina Descary (assist by Gabriela Angulo) – 36^th minute
• Chiara Singarella (assist by Cloey Uddenberg) – 54^th minute
• Gabby Hollar (assist from Abby Jacobs) – 83^rd minute

 
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Richard Moodie:
"I thought we were really good. There is still room for improvement, but we got girls minutes and saved legs. We are starting to see what this team can do. It's good to be at home and get our first win.
 
On improvements:
"We missed a penalty today, we had some good chances in the final third, just some poor decision-making. But at the same time, we controlled the game. It's still relatively early in the schedule and I think we have a lot of potential and room to grow. I am pleased with the cohesiveness of the group. We have so many new players of different nationalities but the group is really tight. Every day we get better."
 
Midfielder Gabby Hollar:
"It was a great team win. We came in off two big wins but we knew this would be a very competitive game. We were just excited to get the win as a team and we played really hard tonight."
 
NOTABLES

• South Alabama now holds a 12-game win streak at home, last losing on Sept. 2, 2021, when South fell to Ole Miss 4-2.
• All goal scorers totaled their second goals of the season.
• Four Jags went the distance in the win.
• The Jags have outscored their opponents 16-0 in their three matches this season.
• South Alabama is averaging 5.33 goals per game.

UP NEXT
The Jags stay in Mobile through the weekend, hosting Kennesaw State on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 3 p.m.  
 
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