MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama soccer scored seven goals to beat Louisiana-Monroe 7-2 on Friday at The Cage, extending its winning streak to eight matches, the second-longest in school history.
The seven goals were the most South Alabama has scored against Louisiana-Monroe in the series and the second-most the Jaguars have scored against a Sun Belt Conference opponent. The school record is nine, against Arkansas-Little Rock.
Quick Answer After Early Deficit
South Alabama held a 10-0 advantage in shot attempts before the Warhawks scored on their first shot of the match in the 27th minute to take a 1-0 lead.
The Jaguars responded with three goals in about five minutes. Charde Hannah set up the first two. Sophomore Monique Autmon tied the match in the 35th minute, and 82 seconds later freshman Sophie Haywood scored her seventh goal of the season to put South Alabama ahead 2-1.
At the 39:53 mark, freshman Rio Hardy won possession off a Louisiana-Monroe goal kick and carried the ball the rest of the way to score, making it 3-1.
Pulling Away in the Second Half
Louisiana-Monroe took the first five shots of the second half, with four on target. South Alabama then outshot the Warhawks 18-1 the rest of the match.
Freshman Steffi Hardy scored in the 61st minute and junior Nini Rabsatt-Smith added a goal in the 69th, giving the Jaguars five unanswered goals before Louisiana-Monroe scored its second.
Freshman Danielle Henley scored in the 77th minute on an assist from Meagan O’Loughlin, and Chelsea Followwell finished the scoring in the 86th minute, assisted by Rio Hardy.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Hay made five saves.
Winkworth Pleased With Ball Movement
“I thought we played well,” South Alabama head coach Graham Winkworth said. “I thought we moved the ball well, particularly in the first half; I thought our ball movement was excellent.”
“The girls were being patient,” Winkworth said. “We were in control of the game in the first half. We went a goal down, but I really wasn’t concerned because we were creating a lot of chances. As long as we’re creating chances, I’m not too nervous. We continued to do that, and I was pleased.”
Winkworth said the team needed time to adjust to changes after halftime.
“We changed a few things and I think it took us a few minutes to settle down,” he said. “We were still strong defensively; Sarah (Hay) made a couple of big saves, but once she did that, I thought the rest of the half, we were solid defensively and continued what we’ve done most of the season. I’m disappointed to have conceded a couple of goals, but at the same time, when we’ve created that many chances and scored that many goals, you can’t really complain.”
