NEW ORLEANS – Sun Belt Conference women’s soccer champion South Alabama has continued its pursuits on the pitch during the 2021 spring season, concluding an eight-game schedule tomorrow at Ole Miss.

The Jaguars, who topped the Sun Belt East Division standings in the fall, prepare for their automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after stunning the Sun Belt’s West Division winner Arkansas State with a 2-1 victory at the conference championship last fall.

South junior Morgan Cross, who was named the Sun Belt Tournament Most Outstanding Player, delivered two goals in the final five minutes and 39 seconds, as the Jaguars overcame the Red Wolves to win their program’s seventh league tournament title.
 
Currently 3-4, the Jaguars faced a stout slate during the spring, encountering three SEC opponents - LSU, Alabama and Auburn. With a date with another SEC foe, Ole Miss, still on the calendar, South Alabama has an opportunity to finish .500 this spring. The Jaguars are 3-4 against Ole Miss in all-time meetings, and edged the Rebels 2-1 in their last meeting in 2019.

Hefty competition before heading to Cary, North Carolina, the location of this year’s NCAA championships, could prove valuable.

If it’s up to All-Sun Belt first teamer Brenna McPartlan South will fare well behind her offensive efforts. The midfielder leads the conference in total points (31), total assists (9) and total goals (11), which rank third, fourth and sixth in the nation, respectively.

Collectively, the Jaguars lead the country in total points (145), goals (46) and assists (53).

Selections for the NCAA Tournament will be announced April 19 for both men’s and women’s teams. Both championships will be held in Cary, North Carolina. The first round for the women’s teams is scheduled for April 27-28, while the men’s opening round is slated for April 29.