MOBILE, Ala. – Arkansas State scored 55 seconds after halftime and held on to defeat the University of South Alabama soccer team 1-0 Friday night on a soggy pitch at The Cage.
The Jags have their eight-match unbeaten streak snapped and fall to 7-5-1 overall and 5-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Red Wolves improve to 8-5-1 and 4-3-1.
GAME FACTS
-South Alabama held a 16-5 advantage in shots before halftime, but could only put five of those on net and never seriously tested A-State goalkeeper Kelsey Ponder
-Arkansas State took advantage of a defensive miscue in the box and Hailey Furio put home the loose ball at 45:55
-The Jags had two chances in the 69th minute to tie but Ponder came up huge to retain the lead – senior Chelsea Followwell's attempt from the deep left wing was punched out, and junior Hannah Godfrey's shot was also saved
-Senior Chardé Hannah hit the crossbar at 84:48, and senior Rio Hardy's attempt a few seconds later was saved by Ponder
-South Alabama recorded the last 12 shots of the contest, with six hitting the target and Hannah hitting the bar
-USA outshot A-State 33-9 on the night, and held a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal
-Ponder finished with 13 saves, tied for the most by a goalkeeper in the Sun Belt this season
-USA's Justice Stanford had four stops
NOTES
-The game was delayed 2:17 due to a major rainstorm before kickoff
-Friday was South Alabama's first game since Oct.