University of South Alabama Athletics

RUSTON, La. – South Alabama soccer (7-7-3, 5-3-2 SBC) defeated Louisiana Tech (4-12-2, 2-7-1) 3-2 in the program's regular-season finale on Sunday. The win clinches the Jaguars a spot in the Sun Belt Conference Championship for the 16th year in a row.

SCORING MOMENTS:

• 15' | The Bulldogs' Abby Hanton dribbled the ball through two Jaguars to score off the left post.
• 21' | Lorie Bourassa retook possession of a deflected Jaguar pass. She then sent in a long strike from the top right of the box to equalize the match.
• 38' | Andrea Iljkic navigated through a contested box to send an Andrea Lazar assist into the back of the goal.
• 61' | Louisiana Tech's Madison Pensom scored a header goal from a Reagan Roberts assist.
• 68' | Victoria Rocci found Makena Zukeran outside the top of the box, who would then send a shot past several Bulldogs to clinch the Jags' victory.

KEY STATS:

• USA now remains unbeaten in four straight regular-season finales.
• The Jags recorded season-bests in shots (22) and shots on goal (14).
• The victory marked the first time this season South Alabama won after not scoring first. 
• Iljkic has recorded six points across the last three matches – a goal against ULM (Oct. 25), two assists against Georgia Southern (Oct. 28) and a goal against Louisiana Tech.
• Bourassa's goal was the first of her career, coming one match after recording her first career assist (Georgia Southern on Oct. 28).
• South Alabama maintained possession for 55 percent of the match.
• Two Jaguars posted career-highs in shots and shots on goal – Sofia Ferrante (5 and 4) and Molly Browne (3 and 2).
• Lazar passed her first career assist.
• South Alabama now has a .500 won-lost-tied percentage.

QUOTED:
Head Coach Chris Hennessey:

• "Did we play our best today? No, but we found a way to win. It's our fourth game in 10 days, we were on the road and Louisiana Tech is not an easy team to play at home. We can analyze this in many different ways, but it was about heart and character today and getting over the line."

UP NEXT:
South Alabama will advance to the Sun Belt Conference Championship, which begins Nov. 9 at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex in Foley, Ala. The Jags' opponent and match time will be announced with the official tournament bracket.

FOLLOW THE JAGS:
For complete coverage of South Alabama soccer, follow the Jags on social media @SouthAlabamaSOC (Twitter), /SouthAlabamaJaguars (Facebook), @southalabamasoccer (Instagram) or visit the official home of South Alabama athletics at usajaguars.com.

—USA—