SAN MARCOS, Texas – University of South Alabama senior Rio Hardy recorded a brace and set a new school record for game-winning goals to lead the Jaguars to a 2-0 victory over Texas State Sunday afternoon at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.
The Jags, who have one game remaining, clinch at least a share of the Sun Belt Conference title, and improve to 10-5-1 overall and 8-1 conference play. The Bobcats drop to 10-5-1 and 8-2.
GAME FACTS
- USA outshot TXST 21-9 on the day and held a 12-0 advantage in shots on goal
- Hardy scored her first from about eight yards out at 27:39 on a short cross from freshman Selma Björgvinsdóttir
- That goal is Hardy's 12th game-winning goal in her career, breaking a tie with Cindy Rainville (1998-01)
- A minute and a half before her goal, Hardy broke free but her shot was saved by a diving Heather Martin
- At halftime, the Jaguars had put seven of their eight shots on goal, with Hardy putting four of her five attempts on net
- Ten of South Alabama's first 11 shots hit the target
- Hardy doubled USA's advantage in the 71st minute on another breakaway, slotting it home into the right corner
- The Bobcats got off the next three shots, including one that hit the post
- Martin made 10 stops for Texas State; South Alabama goalkeeper Justice Stanford was not credited with a save but recorded her fourth clean sheet of the season
NOTES
- The Jaguars are level on points with the Bobcats, but while Texas State's regular season is complete, South Alabama has a game left against Little Rock on Friday
- The victory snaps a seven-game win streak for Texas State that was the longest active run in the Sun Belt
- The Bobcats were leading the league in both scoring and goals against average coming into the game, and were averaging 3.