University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Sunday, October 20
Marshall Bell Track & Field and Soccer Complex
1 p.m.
Southern Miss
2-6-4, 1-2-4
2
vs
0
Troy
4-8-2, 0-6-1
1st half1
2nd half2
FinalF
Troy
0
0
0
Southern Miss.
1
1
2
Nakano's Brace Leads Soccer Past Troy 2-0
10/20/2024 4:56:00 PM | Women's Soccer
HATTIESBURG, Miss.-Southern Miss Soccer (2-6-4, 1-2-4 Sun Belt) picked up its first conference win of the season with a 2-0 victory against Troy (4-8-2, 0-6-1 Sun Belt), led by senior Adaira Nakano's two goals.
Nakano fittingly recorded the second multi-goal game of her career on Senior Day, as the Golden Eagles recognized 11 players. The match also marked Nakano's 50th career start with the Golden Eagles.
"It's a great feeling, and I couldn't have done it without my teammates. I had two great crosses, and I was able to finish them, which was great teamwork," Nakano said. "It means a lot to get our first conference victory of the season. We've had four ties this season, so we've been working hard, and it finally paid off, so I am happy that we got the dub today," Nakano said.
The win snapped Southern Miss' three-game tie streak, the longest in program history, and gave the Golden Eagles its first conference victory since a 2-1 result against Georgia State on Oct. 5, 2023, last season. Southern Miss also earned its first conference win of the season last year against the Trojans in a 2-1 victory on the road.
Nakano struck first in the 19th minute to give Southern Miss a 1-0 advantage at the break and then followed with her second goal in the 61st minute on an assist from a cross by junior Taylor Stewart.
Nakano's brace places her as the team leader with five goals this season and a total of 13 points. The Ontario, Canada, native has tallied eight points in the last three games with three goals and two assists.
While Nakano led the way offensively for Southern Miss, senior goalkeeper Kesaia Bruni posted her second career shutout, recording a clean sheet in 90 minutes played against the Trojans. Bruni saved all four of Troy's shots on goal, surpassing 30 saves this season.
Altogether, Southern Miss outshot Troy 17-9. The Golden Eagles have recorded ten or more shots and outshot their opponents in four consecutive matches, which stands as the longest streak since the team did so in the final four games of the 2022 season.
With the win, Southern Miss is tied at 1-2-4 in the conference with Louisiana, who the Golden Eagles face next. Southern Miss stands at 10th overall in the conference, just one game outside of the final eighth spot of teams that will advance to the Sun Belt Championship Tournament in November.
Up Next
Southern Miss prepares for its final home match of the season Thursday against Louisiana at 3 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Nakano fittingly recorded the second multi-goal game of her career on Senior Day, as the Golden Eagles recognized 11 players. The match also marked Nakano's 50th career start with the Golden Eagles.
"It's a great feeling, and I couldn't have done it without my teammates. I had two great crosses, and I was able to finish them, which was great teamwork," Nakano said. "It means a lot to get our first conference victory of the season. We've had four ties this season, so we've been working hard, and it finally paid off, so I am happy that we got the dub today," Nakano said.
The win snapped Southern Miss' three-game tie streak, the longest in program history, and gave the Golden Eagles its first conference victory since a 2-1 result against Georgia State on Oct. 5, 2023, last season. Southern Miss also earned its first conference win of the season last year against the Trojans in a 2-1 victory on the road.
Nakano struck first in the 19th minute to give Southern Miss a 1-0 advantage at the break and then followed with her second goal in the 61st minute on an assist from a cross by junior Taylor Stewart.
Nakano's brace places her as the team leader with five goals this season and a total of 13 points. The Ontario, Canada, native has tallied eight points in the last three games with three goals and two assists.
While Nakano led the way offensively for Southern Miss, senior goalkeeper Kesaia Bruni posted her second career shutout, recording a clean sheet in 90 minutes played against the Trojans. Bruni saved all four of Troy's shots on goal, surpassing 30 saves this season.
Altogether, Southern Miss outshot Troy 17-9. The Golden Eagles have recorded ten or more shots and outshot their opponents in four consecutive matches, which stands as the longest streak since the team did so in the final four games of the 2022 season.
With the win, Southern Miss is tied at 1-2-4 in the conference with Louisiana, who the Golden Eagles face next. Southern Miss stands at 10th overall in the conference, just one game outside of the final eighth spot of teams that will advance to the Sun Belt Championship Tournament in November.
Up Next
Southern Miss prepares for its final home match of the season Thursday against Louisiana at 3 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Team Stats
TRY
USM
Goals
0
2
Shots
6
17
Shots on Goal
4
5
Saves
3
4
Corners
1
7
Fouls
7
6
Scoring Plays
Adaira Nakano (5)
GOAL by USM Nakano, Adaira.
19:48
Adaira Nakano (5)
Assisted By: Taylor Stewart
GOAL by USM Nakano, Adaira Assist by Stewart, Taylor.
61:23
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M/F
/ Women's Soccer
D/F
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