Friday, September 25
Jags Win Sun Belt Opener, Edge Troy, 1-0
TROY, Ala. – Two first-half goals were the difference as the University of South Alabama soccer team opened Sun Belt Conference play with a 2-1 victory over in-state rival Troy Friday night at the Troy Soccer Complex.
The Jaguars improve to 7-2-1 overall while the Trojans drop to 7-3 and 0-1.
USA has won the last three meetings in the series, all by a single goal. The last two regular-season matchups have been decided by a 2-1 margin.
"I thought it was a game of two halves," said Jaguar head coach Graham Winkworth. "In the first half I thought we played some good football, moved the ball around, attacked in good areas and created chances. In the second half, I was hoping for that to continue, and credit to Troy because they worked extremely hard and got themselves on the scoresheet. We made hard work of it. We defended like warriors, and it wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing second half, but it was pull your sleeves up and work your socks off. I couldn't be more proud of their performance.
"I want to say a special thanks to all the fans that came – not only the parents, but all the fans and the students that got on the bus and traveled up here to cheer on our team. They really were our 12th player tonight and made a difference. They pushed us over the line and without them, I'm not sure we'd be sitting here with a victory. I want to thank the school for putting on the bus for us because it was the difference."
The Jags peppered the Trojan goal with 15 shots – holding a 10-3 advantage in the first half – and put seven on goal. Defensively USA allowed just five attempts on the night.
South Alabama struck early, getting a quick goal from sophomore Chelsea Followwell (Sachse, Texas) just 3:23 into the match.
"There was a very loud crowd and it quieted them up pretty quickly," Winkworth said. "We settled down because we played some really attractive football in that first half. We settled down and moved the ball around – it was fun to coach and to watch, and I'm sure it was fun to play in. The girls were buzzing at halftime – we said it was a dangerous score, and it was. Troy proved that and in the second half we just had to pull our socks up and get on with it. I'm really pleased with the way we defended and our workrate in the second half."
The Jaguars doubled their lead in the 34th minute on a set piece. Freshman Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England) hooked up with sophomore Steffi Hardy (Workington, England) for the second time in three games, and Hardy headed it home for her third goal of the season.
"It was huge," Winkworth said of the goal. "We were so bad at them last year, so I set the girls a target at the beginning of the season of winning the set-piece battle. I've been pleasantly surprised. A lot of it comes down to, not only the finishing, but the delivery of the ball, and we've got some players that can deliver a set piece from any angle. It's made a huge difference for us."
Troy pulled one back early in the second half on a long free kick, but managed just one attempt the rest of the contest. No Trojan had more than one shot all game.
USA junior Sarah Hay (Waxahachie, Texas) made two saves in 90 minutes, while Troy's Mikki Lewis stopped five shots and allowed both goals.
"It's a huge win because Troy will be challenging for the title," noted Winkworth. "They'll be in the top half of the league at the end of the season – they're very talented. So to come to them on the opening night of the league season and pick up a result, I'm not sure anyone else will do that this season – they're that good. I want to give a lot of credit to them because they are well-coached and extremely talented and we've come away with an excellent result against a very good team."
The Jaguars return to action in one week, traveling to Louisiana-Lafayette Oct. 2 for a 7 p.m. start.
Cajuns Open Conference Play with 1-0 Win over Georgia Southern
STATESBORO, Ga. -- In a strong defensive effort, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns soccer team opened the conference portion of their schedule with a 1-0 shutout victory at Georgia Southern on Friday evening.
The Cajuns (7-3-1, 1-0 SBC) start the conference season with a victory for the second time in the past three seasons (2013). Louisiana is the first team to defeat the Eagles on their home pitch this season (2-1-1).
"The girls played a very disciplined 90 minutes of soccer," Ragin' Cajuns head coach Scot Wieland said. "We were disciplined with our possession and on defense and we kept our composure I was really proud of the performance on the road to open Sun Belt Conference play. I'm very happy for our team."
At the 11-minute mark, junior midfielder Cassandra Reyes was on the receiving end of an Ashleigh Cade pass and found the left corner of the Georgia State goal, depositing a shot from the top of the goalie box, putting Louisiana in the lead. The goal was the first of the 2015 season for Reyes. It was the third assist for Cade.
Freshman goalkeeper Cosette Morche (5-2) returned to the pitch, saving nine shots, including three in a span of under five minutes after the Cajuns pulled ahead, 1-0.
The shutout was Morche's third this season and fifth overall for the Cajuns this season. Her three shutouts are tied for seventh all-time in a single season in Louisiana history. Morche stands one shy of moving into a third-place tie for most shutouts in a season.
"Cosette did a great job tonight," Wieland said. "She got the shutout and made a couple nice saves down the stretch and stayed with the team philosophy – staying disciplined and preserving a great road win."
The five team shutouts eclipsed the three from the previous season for the Cajuns and is the most since the 2013 season (6).
Louisiana evened the all-time series with Georgia Southern at 1-1.
The Cajuns will end their brief two-match road trip at Georgia State this Sunday, Sept. 27 for a noon first kick.
Mountaineers Battle Rain, Red Wolves for 2-1 Win
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University women's soccer used two first-half goals to power past Arkansas State University, 2-1, for its first Sun Belt win of the season on a rainy night at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
The Mountaineers (5-3-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) came out aggressive at the beginning of the game. Jane Cline was brought down in the A-State penalty box in the third minute. Cline then slotted the penalty kick past the Red Wolves' (2-8, 0-1 Sun Belt) goalkeeper for the game's opening goal.
With a 1-0 lead, Cline was involved in another attacking build-up play. Cline found Kebrina Keys in the box who ripped a shot that was saved by Alexis Philippe. Emmily Cowie was able to head the rebound from Keys' shot into the back of the net to give App State a two-goal lead in the 15th minute.
Although the Red Wolves had just three shot attempts in the first half, they took advantage of a corner kick in the 41st minute. Taylor Carter sent a ball in the box that Katherine Padgett headed into the goal to bring A-State within one goal.
That would be a close as the Red Wolves would to the Mountaineers, as a scoreless second half gave App State the three points.
Sam Steyl got the start in goal tonight for the Mountaineers with Megan Roberson having to sit out because of a red card against UNCG. Steyl made one save and improved to 2-1-1 on the year.
"Tonight was a battle. Every conference match is important because every point matters at this stage in the game," said head coach Sarah Strickland. "Arkansas State is a very well coached team. I believe with the steady rain throughout the entire game, we had an advantage because they could not use their flip throws which have created a lot of goals for them. We are now looking forward to preparing for a very good Little Rock team."
App State has a quick turnaround with Little Rock coming to Boone on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
Panthers Open Conference Play with 1-0 Win over UL Monroe
ATLANTA- After a tough loss snapped Georgia State's unbeaten streak to start the season last week, the Panthers rebounded by opening up conference play strong with a 1-0 win over UL Monroe on Friday night. GSU is now 7-1-2 for the season.
Just one shot short of tying the season high for shots in a game, the team outshot the Warhawks 22-8. The Panthers now have 186 shots for the season, more than double their opponents’ shots.
Georgia State was able to maintain control of the ball for the majority of the match, and rotated players out to help keep the team fresh.
Senior Christa Fox had four saves in goal to help earn her fourth career shutout. Fox now ranks seventh at Georgia State for career shutouts.
Freshman Caitlin Ray continued to have a solid impact on the team, scoring her third goal of the season before the half to seal the win over the Warhawks. It was Ray’s first career game-winning goal.
“We’re really excited to get the win in the first conference match of the season. The win was crucial for us, which was difficult to do in the rainy weather. I’m really proud of team and how well they are playing, and now it’s about recovering and preparing for UL Lafayette on Sunday,” head coach Derek Leader said of the win.
Georgia State plays the final game of a five-game home stand against UL Lafayette on Sunday at 1 p.m., the second conference match of the season. Parking and admission are free.
Bobcats Win OVertime Thriller Against Little Rock, 2-1
SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State soccer team earned its first three points of the conference season Friday evening with a 2-1 double overtime victory against Little Rock at the Bobcat Soccer Complex. Little Rock scored an on own goal in the 104th minute of the match to give Texas State the 2-1 advantage.
With the victory, Texas State extends its winning streak to six matches, the longest since the 2011 season. The win also marks the third-straight victory against the Trojans and makes the Bobcats 7-2-0 overall and 1-0-0 in Sun Belt Conference play.
Lynsey Curry put the Bobcats on the board in the 40th minute on a breakaway through the Little Rock (5-5-1, 0-1-0 SBC) defenders. Her goal snapped a five-match scoring skid, and tallied as her third goal this season.
Defenses were put to use throughout the entirety of the contest as there were only a combined nine shots in the first half. Overall, Texas State outshot the Trojans 13-8 in the match.
In the 67th minute, Little Rock's Shannon Shields equalized the match at 1-1. The remainder of regulation would prove to be scoreless, forcing an overtime period.
Out of the gates, Texas State was dominant in the first overtime period, outshooting the Trojans 4-0. Just one of those shots were on goal.
The momentum from the first overtime carried its way into the second as Texas State continued to dominate time of possession. Just three and a half minutes into the period, Curry passed a ball in from the right side and it found its way to the back of the net thanks to a Little Rock defender.
Caitlynn Rinehart earned her seventh victory of the season as she put all 104 minutes in goal. She recorded two saves on the evening.
The Bobcats will continue play at home Sunday afternoon as they welcome the Red Wolves of Arkansas State. Kick-off at the Bobcat Soccer Complex is scheduled for 1 p.m.