University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Soccer Opens Conference USA Play This Weekend
9/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Golden Eagles look to bounce back from a hard-fought winless weekend as they begin conference play with matches against Middle Tennessee and Old Dominion. The team travels to Murfreesboro, Tenn. on Friday for a 7:00 p.m. game, before returning home on Sunday for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against Old Dominion.
Following a solid start to the season, going 2-1-3 in the first six games of non-conference play, the Golden Eagles have now dropped three in a row. Their last defeat was at home to a tough South Alabama team on Sunday, Sept. 20. Southern Miss posted six shots against the Jaguars but was unable to answer their opponent's four goals.
Junior goalkeeper Brittany Taylor currently leads Conference USA in saves per game average with 4.78. Taylor is also in the top eight for total saves, save percentage and goals against average.
Southern Miss is 3-1-1 all-time against Middle Tennessee. Last season, the Golden Eagles tied the Blue Raiders 2-2 at home.
This is just the third time the Golden Eagles have faced Old Dominion. The series is tied 1-1-0 with Southern Miss losing the last matchup 1-0 last season in Norfolk. The Black and Gold posted a 4-3 overtime victory the last time the two teams met in Hattiesburg.
Scouting the Opposition:
Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders have posted a 4-3-1 record through the first eight games of the season. Middle Tennessee is coming off of a 1-0 loss at Mercer on Sunday, Sept. 20.
Old Dominion: The Monarchs are 2-7-0 to start the season, and lost a battle 1-0 against East Carolina last weekend. Old Dominion opens the weekend against Louisiana Tech (7-3-0) on Friday, Sept. 25.