MOBILE, Ala. ? The University of South Alabama women’s soccer team looks to get back on the winning track as it opens the home portion of the schedule this weekend with Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese State. USA will face Southeastern Louisiana on Friday at 7 p.m. at The Cage and McNeese State on Sunday at 1 p.m.
SCOUTING SOUTH ALABAMA: South Alabama stands at 0-2 after a pair of losses at the Dafeldecker Classic this past weekend in Tampa, Fla. The Jaguars are coming off a 12-5-1 finish in 2005 and a berth in the conference final. The Jags return six starters and 11 letterwinners from a year ago.
In his eighth year at USA, Jaguar coach Mike Varga looks to build on the success of last season and remains focused on winning the conference and playing in the NCAA Tournament.
The Jaguars return Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament selection sophomore Kelsie Langford, who played every minute of last season in goal, recording eight shutouts and had the lowest goals against average in a season in school history.
SCOUTING SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA: The Lions enter the week with a 1-1 record after a 5-0 season-opening win over Southern and a 4-1 loss to Arkansas. Lindsey Dyck leads the team with three goals, as she scored a hat trick against Southern and freshman Candice Wallace added three assists in that game and scored the lone goal against Arkansas.
The Lions, under the direction of ninth year head coach Blake Hornbuckle, welcome back 10 starters and 14 letterwinners from last season’s 3-11-1 squad that finished 1-6 in the Southland Conference. Hornbuckle’s assistant is former Jaguar standout Cindy Rainville, who is in her second season with the Lions. Rainville currently holds the South Alabama career record for goals (45), assists (30) and points (120).
Southeastern Louisiana will play a neutral site game at The Cage on Sunday at 4 p.m. against Sun Belt Conference member Troy after USA vs. McNeese State.
LAST TIME THEY MET: The Jaguars own a 5-0 record over Southeastern Louisiana in a series that dates back to 1995. USA posted a 2-1 victory in Hammond last season (10/16) as Jenn Edgar scored her first goal of the season and the quickest goal for the Jaguars last year just 3:28 into the game. Kelly Tarrant came back in the second half and scored the game winner. USA has a 2-0 lead in the series in Mobile and a 3-0 lead in the series in Hammond.
SCOUTING MCNEESE STATE: McNeese State enters the week with a 1-0 record after a 2-0 win over Sun Belt Conference newcomer Louisiana-Monroe this past weekend at ULM. Sophomores Kamryn Koch and Ja’Nae Powell each scored goals for the Cowgirls and junior Aubrey Ross tallied seven saves in goal for MSU.
Head coach Scooter Savoie is in his ninth season at the helm of the Cowgirl program. Savoie welcomes back 10 starters and 16 letterwinners from last season’s 5-11-1 squad that finished 2-4-1 in the Southland Conference.
McNeese State will play at Southern University (0-1) before playing the Jaguars on Sunday.
LAST TIME THEY MET: USA owns a 2-0 record over McNeese State in a series that dates back to 1999. The Jaguars posted a 2-0 win over the Cowgirls on 9/29/99 and followed that up with a 1-0 win on 9/17/04. Both matches were played at The Cage.
South Alabama will next compete at home again on Friday Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at The Cage against North Florida as part of the KELME Port City Classic.
