FOLEY, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer team got first-half strikes from freshman Ana Helmert and senior Rio Hardy to cruise to a 2-0 victory over Appalachian State Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament held at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex.
The Jaguars improve to 12-5-1 while the Mountaineers end their season at 4-11-4.
GAME FACTS
- After a quiet first 30 minutes, Helmert was left wide open in the middle of the 18-yard box after a pass from Hardy, and calmly beat the Appalachian State goalkeeper into the lower right corner at 32:11
- Hardy added to the Jags' lead at 43:05, beating the Mountaineer goalkeeper at the near post
- South Alabama held a 10-2 advantage in shots at halftime, including a 6-1 edge in shots on goal
- Freshman Selma Bjorgvinsdottir had a chance to make it a 3-0 contest early in the second half but missed high on her penalty kick
- The Jags outshot the Mountaineers 10-1 in the second half, and put five of those attempts on net, but was unable to seriously test Taylor Ray
- Ray made eight saves for App, while her counterpart, sophomore Justice Stanford, had one save
- USA senior Danielle Henley recorded eight shots, with four of those hitting the target
NOTES
- Helmert's goal was her first since scoring a brace on Sept.