LAFAYETTE, La. – University of South Alabama senior Rio Hardy tied a school record with her 12th career game-winning goal, and added an assist to give the Jaguars a 2-1 comeback win over Louisiana Friday night at the Ragin' Cajuns Track/Soccer Facility.
The Jags go to 9-5-1 overall and 7-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Cajuns fall to 5-9-2 and 2-5-2.
GAME FACTS
- South Alabama held a 21-9 edge in shots, including 8-3 in shots on goal, and outshot Louisiana 12-2 after intermission
- LA's Ashleigh Cade wasted little time getting the Cajuns on the board, blasting a low shot from about 20 yards out at 6:48
- Senior Danielle Henley was left open in the box at 19:02 and forced LA goalkeeper Victoria Ryan to go the ground to make the stop
- The Jaguars knotted the score at 1-1 midway through the first half when senior Tiina Trutsi's corner was headed by Hardy back across the goal to senior Chelsea Followwell, whose own headed attempt hit the underside of the crossbar
- Ten minutes later, Hardy put the Jags up on a header eight yards out off a cross from freshman Selma Björgvinsdóttir at the 33:39 mark
- Trutsi almost added to the Jaguars' lead at 37:04 but her wide-open half-volley from six yards out went over the bar
- Senior Steffi Hardy helped maintain South Alabama's advantage by clearing a Louisiana attempt off the line in the 39th minute
- Shortly after the start of the second half, junior Hannah Godfrey went high from short range after a Jaguar corner kick
- Louisiana had its best chance to equalize in the 87th minute but Erika Sierra's shot from two yards out was blocked off the line by Godfrey
- Ryan made six stops for the Cajuns, while Jaguar sophomore Justice Stanford was not credited with a save
NOTES
- The Jaguars stay three points behind Texas State in the race for the Sun Belt title; the two schools will meet Sunday in San Marcos, and the Jags have a game in hand
- Hardy is tied with USA Hall of Famer Cindy Rainville (1998-01) with 12 game-winning goals
- Hardy is already in second place in school history by herself with 37 goals and 88 points
- USA is 6-1-2 all-time against LA in Lafayette
- South Alabama has won its last four games on the road after starting out 0-2-1
- The Jaguars have outshot their opponent 12 times in their last 13 outings
- South Alabama is 6-1 in its last seven games decided by one goal
- The Jaguars are 36-6-2 in conference games in the last five seasons
- Friday marked the sixth consecutive game the Jags recorded multiple goals against the Cajuns
THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richard Moodie
Overall thoughts: "It was senior night for them and they came out flying.