Soccer: Late-Match Heroics Lift Louisiana Past Jags, 2-1

Louisiana off to first 2-0-0 start since 2012; will host SFA on Sunday at 1 p.m.

BOX SCORE (PDF)

Next Game:

Stephen F. Austin

9/13/2020 | 1 p.m.

ESPN&#434343434343;

FOLEY, Ala. – Freshman Alyssa Abbott scored on a short-handed goal in the 107^th minute and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s Soccer team used some late-match heroics to post a 2-1 victory over defending Sun Belt Conference champion South Alabama on Sunday at the Foley Sports Complex.

Lizzie Mayfield notched her second consecutive match with a goal and an assist while Jordan Higgins stopped seven shots as Louisiana recorded its third 2-0-0 start to the season in school history and first since 2012.

South Alabama (0-1-0), which finished 16-4-2 last season, took a 1-0 lead on Brenna McPartlan’s goal in the 16^th minute before Higgins kept the Jags off the board for the rest of the night.

USA held on to its lead until late in the 89^th minute when Mayfield placed a shot past freshman Jag goalkeeper Anna Brunner for her second goal of the season, tying the match at 1-1 and sending the contest between the schools into overtime for the third consecutive season.

Louisiana, which was held without a shot in the first half before out-shooting the Jags 10-6 after intermission, had a chance to win it early in the first overtime as Gwen Mummert’s attempt at the bottom right corner of the goal was stopped by Brunner.

After a red card was issued to the Ragin’ Cajuns in the 98^th minute, giving South Alabama a one-player advantage for the rest of the match, Louisiana kept the Jags from any shot attempts the rest of the way while getting off two attempts in the final nine minutes of play.

Freshman Lucy Ortiz had an attempt that sailed high for Louisiana before Abbott sealed the win with a shot past Brunner, giving the Ragin’ Cajuns just their second win in the series dating back to 2010.

Higgins, who recorded four saves in the second half, stopped a penalty kick by USA’s Ana Helmert in the ninth minute before stopping back-to-back attempts by the Jags’ Tabea Griss and McPartlan in the 74^th minute.

McPartlan attempted five shots to lead South Alabama, which held an 11-10 advantage in shots. Brunner added three saves in her first career start for the Jags with Helmert attempted a pair of shots on-goal.

Louisiana will return to action on Sunday (Sept. 13) when it plays host to Southland Conference opponent Stephen F. Austin (1-0-1) at the Ragin’ Cajuns Track/Soccer Facility. The match is scheduled for a 1 p.m., start and will be streamed live on ESPN&#434343434343; with live stats available at CajunStats.com.

The Ragin’ Cajuns Track/Soccer Facility will operate at a significantly reduced capacity for the 2020 season (unless state policy changes during the season). This will allow for fans and University students to be accommodated this season.

Should disruptions or modifications to the 2020 season occur due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Athletics will quickly communicate the adjustments through its social media channels and RaginCajuns.com. Additionally, the department will communicate any changes to specific entry and attendance protocols for home matches.

Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsSOC), Instagram (@RaginCajuns_SOC) and Facebook (Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Soccer) or check RaginCajuns.com for Louisiana soccer updates.