After falling in a double-overtime thriller against Mississippi State last weekend, the Southern Miss soccer team continued their season Friday, but did not have the same results as they had in the early going.
They traveled to Mobile, Alabama to take on South Alabama and laid an egg. The Golden Eagles lost 6-0 and fell to 2-3 on the season while South Alabama improved to 3-2. Southern Miss only got three shots off in the game, two of those coming on goal.
In the 24th minute, USA’s Nini Rabsatt-Smith stole the ball and weaved through the Southern Miss defense before striking it into the upper left corner of the net. Five minutes later, Tiina Trutsi was able to add another goal for USA, receiving a pass from Rio Hardy and putting the ball nearly the same exact spot as Rabsatt-Smith.
Sophie Haywood would add two more goals in the first half, scoring in the 34th and 41st minutes. The shots were assisted by Charde Hannah and Danielle Henley, respectively. Hardy would add another goal in the second half as she received a pass from Chelseas Followwell.
The shot was partially blocked by Southern Miss goalkeeper Shelby Presnell, who was forced into plenty of action throughout the game. Pressnell, a true freshman, played nearly 89 minutes, allowing six goals, but was able to save nine shots
on the afternoon.
Haywood was able to score once more in the 87th minute to get the hat trick. South Alabama completely dominated this game, taking 31 shots compared to just three for USM.
The Jaguars’ goalie, Sarah Hay, was perfect on the afternoon, saving the only two shots that came her way. This was expected to be a much closer game, but there was no doubting that the Jaguars were the superiorly talented team on Friday.
USM continued their road trip Sunday when they traveled to Hammond, Louisiana to take on the Southeastern Lions, but ended up on the losing end once again.
Southeastern (6-0) topped the Golden Eagles (2-4) 2-1 in a tight contest that was scoreless at the half. However, just four minutes into the second half, USM took the lead on a goal by Anya Koren, her second of the season. Koren’s goal was assisted by Somer Jones.
Katie Noonan got Southeastern on the board in the 63rd minute on an unassisted goal.
It appeared the game was destined for overtime, but Maggie Ramsey broke the Golden Eagles’ hearts as she scored in the 90th and final minute of the contest on an assist from Noonan. The game-winner with 15 seconds remaining was Ramsey’s first career goal.
USM was able to outshoot the Lions 11-10 and had two more shots on goal. The Golden Eagles also possessed the ball a lot more than Lions, but did just not capitalize on the offensive end.
“We played attacking soccer,” said head coach Mohammed El-Zare. “We created enough chances, but we have to finish our chances. I thought we controlled the game with our possessions. I am proud of the effort and the hard work that the players are putting in. It is just a matter of time before things fall our way. Things will turn around. We just have to continue to play hard and continue to work and get better.”
Both goalies played well enough to earn the victory in this game. Presnell had four saves for the Golden Eagles and allowed just two goals. However, Southeastern’s Hope Sabadash was better on the afternoon. Sabadash finished the game with seven saves and allowed
just one goal.
Southern Miss will continue their season next Sunday at home when they host Arkansas State (1-4) at 1 p.m.
