Lady jaguars showing signs of a good team

Last Sunday’s Southwestern Athletic Conference soccer game between Alabama A&M and the Southern Jaguars was slightly similar to last season’s contest between the schools.
This time the Jaguars (4-7-1) edged the Bulldogs, 3-0.
Unlike last season, losing 3-0 on their home turf.
SU, the conference’s best team in the West so far this season, improved to 2-0 in league play.
Head coach Courtney Prathers, said that at the end of the day, this is the sign of a good team.
“To pick up a victory even when they are playing with some mistakes,” said Prather. “But at the same time I am very proud of my girls for defending our home turf with respect for the other teams.”
Prather said the Jaguars loss against Alabama State (9-6, 4-0) the day before, was upsetting after winning two straight games at the start of league play.
“Alabama State is one of the strongest teams in the SWAC with great coaches and players,” Prather said. “In respect to other teams, we played as hard as we could and at the end of the day it showed our mistakes.”
The Jaguars crushed A&M on their home turf last Sunday. Jami Blackston, Nancy Salas, and Alela Longoria each had goals in the win.
Prathers put together defensive strategies and many formations to try and confuse other teams. Her goal is to prevent as many goals possible for her team’s success.
“They work on cooperation, vocalizing, and to expose the weakness of the other teams’ lineup,” Prather added.
Kerrin Halls’, who is the teams’ goalkeeper, has 37 saves in the past four games, a total of 102 saves with 81% save percentage this season. Southern is third in saves in the SWAC.
Jami Blackston, forward, has a team leading three goals and two assists this season.
The Jaguars host second place Jackson State, who is second behind Alabama State in the East Division, this Friday.
Jackson State’s Jami Blackston and Elexis Rice have scored four goals each this season, with a 68% shot on goal percentage.
Both teams loss to Alabama State, but the Jaguars will try to stay atop of the Western Division of the SWAC this weekend, Prather added.
“It doesn’t matter what rivalry we have with other teams,” Prather said.  “It matters how we go out and play with our fullest potential that we can give and it will show respect that both teams have for each other.”