Soccer to Face ULM Before Hosting South Alabama
9/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Golden Eagles soccer team finishes up nonconference play this weekend with games against ULM and South Alabama. The team travels to Monroe for Friday's match, and returns to the Southern Miss Soccer Complex Sunday to take on South Alabama. Both games kick off at 4:00 p.m.
Southern Miss is coming off a solid weekend of play on the road against Alabama. The Golden Eagles dropped a close game to Alabama, 1-0, Sunday in Tuscaloosa. Despite going the loss, head coach Mohammed El-Zare considers the weekend a success.
The Golden Eagle defense continues to be a strong area on the field for the team. Junior goalkeeper Brittany Taylor had a huge pair of games between the posts for the Golden Eagles, making 13 saves and allowing just one goal against the two tough SEC competitors in 200 minutes of action.
"I was very impressed with their composure all weekend," El-Zare said about Taylor and the defense. "I never had to worry about our backline. Now, we need to focus on getting results offensively."
The games against the SEC foes were the first time all season Southern Miss has been shut out by their opponents. The Golden Eagles, who are averaging nearly 16 shots per game, will be ready to get on the scoreboard this weekend against ULM and South Alabama.
Southern Miss is 3-0 all-time against ULM. In their last meeting in 2012, the Golden Eagles beat the Warhawks, 4-1, in Hattiesburg. The Black and Gold posted a 4-2 win over ULM in the only meeting between the two schools in Monroe back in 2000.
South Alabama leads the series against the Golden Eagles 9-4-0. Southern Miss last defeated the Jaguars in 2008 with a 2-1 victory in Mobile.
Scouting the Opposition:
ULM: The Warhawks are 4-4-1, and coming off a 6-0 win against Grambling State on Sunday, Aug. 13. Senior Mariah Mitchell leads the team with four goals.
South Alabama: South Alabama is 5-2 on the season, most recently losing a close game to No. 9 Auburn on Sunday, Aug. 13. The Jaguars matched Auburn in shots but lost 2-1. The team, which opens the weekend with a home game against Marquette, is led in goals by sophomore Charde Hannah.