MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama Soccer is set to open the 2026 season on the road against Mississippi State at 6 p.m. CT on Wednesday at MSU Soccer Field in Starkville, Miss.
SERIES HISTORY:
South Alabama is 5-11-3 overall against State, with their last match a 4-2 deficit on Sept. 7, 2025, at The Cage. The Bulldogs boast a two-match winning streak over the Jags.
SCOUTING THE JAGS:
- South Alabama enters the 2026 campaign after earning a 10-4-4 mark last season, including a Sun Belt West Division Championship.
- 2025 Sun Belt Goalkeeper of the Year Sierra Giorgio continues with the Jags after earning Sun Belt Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeper to Watch Honors.
- The Jags had four players named across each MAC Hermann Positional Players to Watch list, the only program in the nation to do so.
- South Alabama returns 10 players, including leading scorer Zamiyah Hill, who scored six goals last season.
- Mobile welcomes 18 newcomers, including 11 freshmen and seven transfer players.
- Head Coach Chris Hennessey enters his third year at the helm, boasting a combined record of 20-10-7.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS:
- State opens the season under Kevin O'Brien, who enters his first year at the helm. Before his move to Starkville, O'Brien led the Lipscomb Bisons for 14 seasons.
- The Bulldogs posted a 12-7-1 mark last season, including top-10 wins against Wake Forest, Tennessee and Arkansas. State also earned an NCAA Tournament berth, falling to O'Brien's Lipscomb in the first round.
- State welcomes 19 players and returns nine, four of them goal-scorers last season.
KEEP UP WITH THE ACTION:
Tomorrow's match will be streamed on SEC Network+, and live stats will be available on
StatBroadcast. Be sure to follow the Jags' social media for live updates.
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.
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