University of South Alabama Athletics

08/26/05? FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTH ALABAMA OPENS 2005 KELME PORT CITY CLASSIC WITH A VICTORY
JAGUARS POST 2-1 WIN OVER BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN
CONTACT: Kit Strief

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. ? The University of South Alabama opened the 2005 season with a 2-1 win over Birmingham-Southern in the 2005 KELME Port City Classic on Friday. The Jaguars got second half goals from sophomore Kelly Tarrant and freshman Carly Williams to secure the victory.

“I thought the first half was very methodical,” said Jaguar head coach Mike Varga. “We scored a goal in the 48th minute and we loosened-up and were able to play our game.”

The Jaguars and Panthers played a scoreless first half as both teams tried to find their rhythm. The Jaguars had five shots in the opening stanza and two on goal, compared to the three shots by BSC and none on goal.

The second half opened with Tarrant firing a ball from her own rebound, scoring the game winner. Freshman Chiara Greco had the assist in the season’s first goal. The Jags scored the insurance goal in the 76th minute as Williams found the back of the net with an assist from junior Jenn Edgar.

The Panthers continued to fight hard, cutting the deficit in half on a goal from Anne McIntyre and an assist from Julie Andra in the 83rd minute. BSC had a number of chances down the stretch, but were unable to find the net, including a set piece off a foul at the top of the box with 10 seconds left. Catherine Spiker fired the ball into the wall of Jaguar defenders as time expired.
The first game of the twinbill saw Toledo edge Southeastern Louisiana, 1-0. Toledo’s Pene Hughes had a breakaway down the left side and fired the ball from beyond the box for the game winner.

Due to the possibility of Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 KELME Port City Classic has been shortened. Birmingham-Southern will face Southeastern Louisiana at 4:30 p.m., Saturday at The Cage. USA and Toldeo’s match has been cancelled due to travel plans.

USA returns to action a week from today, Sept. 2, at Louisiana State and returns to The Cage on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. against Mississippi State.