Soccer gives Jaguars first Sun Belt loss in 33 games

The Trojan soccer team handed South Alabama its first Sun Belt loss in 33 matches, claiming a 1-0 victory in Mobile on Friday.

Freshman midfielder Kiersten Edlund bagged her first collegiate goal in the seventh minute when the South Alabama defense failed to clear a ball that fell to the Florida native.

The Trojans (6-6-3, 2-2-2 Sun Belt) went on to fire only three more shots that half with six total and three on target. Despite the muted offensive display, the Trojans took home a victory against a quality opponent in a game that was their first game decided in regulation in their last four games.

On paper, the hosts looked better offensively, but were less successful. The Jaguars (9-3-1, 4-1 Sun Belt) fired 13 shots total in the contest with five of them on target.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our group after tonight’s game,” Head Coach Jason Hamilton said. “It’s been a really tough year so far in conference for us.

“We have played well in every game, but have not gotten the results to show. South Alabama is a very good team who has been dominant the past few years in the conference.”

Junior goalkeeper Mikki Lewis and the Trojan defense put in their seventh shutout of the season. Lewis was forced into five saves and held firm in the face of seven corners, allowing none to cross the defense’s goal.

Most noteworthy for Troy was its defense limiting two-time All-Sun Belt and 2013 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Charde Hannah to just one shot attempt in the game.

Freshman goalkeeper Justice Stanford managed two saves for the Jaguars, but couldn’t prevent the Trojans from taking the victory.

“I’m not sure there were too many out there who thought we would win that game on the road,” Hamilton said. “We had a couple of very good looks to start the game, and Kiersten was able to put one in the back of the net with a fantastic finish. Defensively, it was a complete team effort to earn that shutout. They really worked their tails off.”

On Friday, Oct. 14, the Trojans will return to home action against Sun Belt newcomer Coastal Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.