Joe Harper/bgnphoto.com

The Southern Miss women’s soccer team lost 1-0 to Ole Miss on Tuesday, dropping to 0-4-0 overall and 0-0-0 in Conference play.
Throughout the match USM struggled to create offense with the exception of the few and far breakaway opportunities players such as Lorilee Taylor, Ryleigh Marks, Zayla Reagan and Fatim Bangus produced. However, USMs goalie tandem of Maddie Ellis and Lena Blake nearly had the goal on lock, facing 11 shots total and only letting in one goal. Ole Miss was able to create their offense from capitalizing on coordinated, calculated ball movement that kept USM on their heels.
In the former part of the second half USM still displayed the same struggles as the first half such as trouble clearing the ball from their side, sitting on possessions and giving them up, and weak defense in front of the net. In the latter parts of the second half USM began showing flashes of turning their play around. Breakaways and scoring opportunities were no longer as far apart and the ball began to be moved upfield more efficiently. Baby steps though, as the defense in front of the net remained spotty and put burden on the shoulders of Ellis and Blake.
Southern Miss finished the game with six total shots, four on goal, compared to Ole Miss’ 11 shots. Each team received one yellow card.
The Lady Golden Eagles will travel to face Mississippi Valley State on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 5 p.m. Their next home game is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 3, against Jackson State at 4 p.m.