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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University soccer team will continue play in its season-opening, four-match homestand Sunday at 6 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs welcome the South Alabama Jaguars to the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium for a critical in-state contest.
 
"South Alabama is going to be a huge challenge for us," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "They have won their conference the last two seasons and they beat a very good Mississippi State team on Friday. They play some really strong soccer and are a very well-coached team. It's definitely not going to be an easy task for us, because they will be an extremely challenging opponent."
 
Samford (1-0) heads into Sunday's contest with a full head of steam after opening its 2015 campaign Friday with a brilliant 2-0 triumph over Boise State.
 
With the win, Samford improved to 1-0 all-time against Mountain West Conference opponents and 1-0 versus Boise State.
 
RECAPPING THE BULLDOGS' VICTORY
On Friday, both of Samford's goals were set up by junior forward Jermaine Seoposenwe. After a scoreless first half in front of a raucous home crowd of 1,189 blue-clad fans, the Bulldogs struck quickly in the second period as Seoposenwe sent a pretty forwarding pass ahead through three Boise State defenders and directly to Malcanisha Kelley's feet.
 
Kelley, Samford's speedy junior from Childersburg, then faced a one-on-one with the Broncos' goalkeeper, Janelle Flores, and beat her to the right side for the game-winning goal.
 
The Bulldogs' decisive score was tallied in the 47^th minute of action at exactly 1:23 into the second half.
 
Just minutes later, lightning was detected in the area and the match was paused for a 30-minute safety delay.
 
Following the break, Samford stormed ahead offensively and notched its second goal of the contest in the 74^th minute of action as Seoposenwe fed true freshman Ella Baggett for her first collegiate score.
 
Baggett collected the pass in the middle of the field near the top of the box and quickly juked past Flores to the left. She then faced an open net and easily fired home the goal to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.
 
With Seoposenwe's two assists Friday, she moved into a tie for eighth place on Samford's all-time assists list with 15.
 
The Bulldogs' defense played outstanding against Boise State and only allowed a total of eight shots, with zero coming on goal. Samford goalkeeper Katie Peters registered the shutout victory and made a number of quality plays, but wasn't forced to make a save.
 
Samford outshot the Broncos, 13-8, and outnumbered Boise State in corner kicks, 6-2.
 
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
South Alabama (1-0) enters Sunday's in-state showdown with a great deal of positive momentum after knocking off Mississippi State on the road Friday, 1-0.
 
A late goal from sophomore Ashlynn Jones broke a 0-0 tie to give the Jaguars a season-opening 1-0 victory at Mississippi State Friday night at the MSU Soccer Field.

South Alabama, the back-to-back Sun Belt Conference champions, increased its regular-season win streak to 19 and claimed its third straight triumph over Mississippi State.

Jones' goal came in the 82nd minute off a cross from junior Nikki Shirtcliffe. Jones was left wide open just outside the six-yard box and bodied the pass in to put the Jags ahead.

Mississippi State controlled much of the first half, outshooting the Jaguars 11-5 with a 6-1 advantage in shots on target, but junior goalkeeper Sarah Hay and the USA defense were able to keep the Bulldogs at bay.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Samford owns a 1-0-1 all-time record against South Alabama, but the teams haven't met on the pitch in nearly 12 years. The last meeting between the teams occurred Sept. 14, 2003, as they battled to a 0-0 draw in the UAB/Nike Classic. The previous season, the Bulldogs traveled down to Mobile and notched a 3-1 triumph at South Alabama on Sept. 6, 2002.
 
WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT?
Following Sunday's meeting with South Alabama, the Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday at 7 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs continue their string of tough home opponents with a high-profile showdown against the Memphis Tigers to be held at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.
 
For quick score updates, breaking news and links to all of your favorite articles featuring the Bulldogs, please follow @SamfordSoccer and @Samford_Sports on Twitter.

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