MOBILE, Ala. - The South Alabama Jaguars got an early goal from Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player and Freshman of the Year, Charde Hannah, and hung on to defeat the Troy Trojans 1-0 to capture the program's second consecutive Sun Belt Women's Soccer Tournament Title here at The Cage in Mobile, Ala.
Hannah's brace came in the match's 22nd-minute on an assist from Nikki Shirtcliffe. Shirtcliffe's pass from the sideline, near the team bench area, floated over the Troy defenders in the box and landed just in front of Hannah who bounced the ball off of her body.
It was Hannah's 20th-goal of the season as she leads the Sun Belt Conference in that category.
With the win the Jaguars improved to 19-2-1 overall and earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Selection Show for DI Women’s Soccer will air on NCAA.com on Monday, November 10 at 3:30 p.m. (CT). The link to the broadcast can be found by clicking HERE.
The two teams traded shots as the Jaguars finished with 12 shots to Troy's 11. The Jaguars were on the offensive attack in the first half as they finished with nine shots to the Trojan's 4.
Troy doubled their shot attempts in the second half but was unable to capitalize on any attempts. The Trojans had three corner kick tries but were unsuccessful as well on those attempts.
Troy's record-breaking season comes to a close at an impressive 16-6-0.
USA's Hannah and Rio Hardy led all players with three shots apiece with Hannah adding two shots on goal for the Jaguars. Alissa Jones paved the way for the Trojans with two shots.
The Jaguars will now await their fate as the NCAA selection committee convenes this weekend with the seeds and regional parings being announced on Monday.
The Sun Belt Conference Women’s Soccer Championship All-Tournament team was also announced following the Jaguars trophy presentation as Hannah was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. She finished the tournament with three goals to lead all players in the tournament.
Joining Hannah on the All-Tournament team were teammates Sarah Hay, Hardy, Nini Rabsatt-Smith and Shirtcliffe.
Troy’s Alissa Jones was also named to the All-Tournament team along with fellow Trojans Jasmine Fahrnbauer, Mallory Hadden and Mikki Lewis.
Renee Nance of Georgia Southern and Lynsey Curry of Texas State rounded out the 11-member team.