FOLEY, Ala. – Senior Moa Öhman scored a brace and the University of South Alabama soccer team put up five goals to defeat Arkansas State 5-0 to win the Jaguars' sixth Sun Belt Conference Tournament title in the last seven years Sunday at the Foley Sports Complex.
The top-seeded Jaguars win their eighth in a row to improve to 16-3-2, and will await their opponent in the NCAA Tournament. The Red Wolves drop to 10-6-4.
GAME FACTS
- Senior Briana Morris almost got the Jaguars on the board in the sixth minute but her shot from inside the box was tipped over the bar
- Öhman scored her first of the afternoon at 12:54 when she deflected in a long cross from sophomore Tilly Wilkes
- Wilkes factored in the Jags' next goal as well after her corner kick was sent in the Red Wolves' own net at 18:24
- Freshman Bergdís Fanney Einarsdóttir forced a diving save in the 23rd minute, and a follow from Öhman was blocked
- Arkansas State had to go with 10 players for the final 65 minutes after Olivia Smith was sent off
- Seconds later, Wilkes sent another long cross in from the left side that senior Briana Morris hit on the half-volley at 25:12 for a 3-0 lead
- The Red Wolves pulled one back just before halftime on a goal by Sarah Sodoma
- South Alabama wasted little time in putting the game away in the second half, scoring twice in the first six minutes
- Sophomore Brenna McPartlan converted a penalty at 48:13, and just over two minutes later, Öhman added her second by heading in a corner kick
- Senior goalkeepers Justice Stanford and Laurie Graves combined for one save in the winning effort
NOTES
- Morris was named Most Outstanding Performer of the tournament; she was joined on the all-tournament team by Öhman, McPartlan, graduate Tabea Griss and Stanford
- South Alabama's six tournament titles are second-most in Sun Belt history (Denver, 7)
- Morris' season goal total of 16 is tied for third in school history, and her goals per game average of 0.