Thompson's first-half goal leads TSU past Jackson State

HOUSTON – The Texas Southern Lady Tigers matched a program best as they returned to their winning ways Friday with a 1-0 triumph over visiting Jackson State.
 
Kailand Thompson provided the match's lone goal in the 27th minute, bringing her season total to six. Thompson received a pass from Paige Hayward 40 yards from the end line, then dribbled past a tough defender before firing a perfect strike from 20 yards out at the top of the penalty area.
 
Texas Southern (8-6-1) pulled into a second-place tie with Arkansas–Pine Bluff with the win, improving its record to 6-1-1 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. Jackson State (3-10-1) fell to 3-4-1 in league play.
 
Alexis Robles made five saves as she posted her fourth shutout of the season for TSU. Defenders Briana Norwood, Bailey Blalock, and Makayla Johnson all played 90 minutes while limiting Jackson State's scoring chances.
 
The Lady Tigers eighth win of the season matched last season's win total, which set the mark for most wins in a season in Texas Southern history. The team has also assured itself of losing fewer than 10 matches for the first time in program history.
 
While Robles did not need to make any acrobatic saves en route to a clean sheet, Jackson State was not without its opportunities to tie the game. Within the first 15 minutes after halftime, JSU's Jalah Carter got a step on the TSU defense, only to be stopped by Robles every time on a one-on-one challenge.
 
Jackson State was further denied a chance to level the score in the 72nd minute, when defender Kyleigh Io booted a strong, 40-yard free kick past the defense. While on target, the shot came into the goal box only inches over Robles' head, and she was able to secure the ball and keep TSU's lead.
 
Thompson was denied her second goal of the match shortly before the hour mark, when her 16-yard strike from the left corner of the penalty area was deflected off target by a diving save from JSU goalkeeper Kylie Christian.
 
Christian made six saves for Jackson State.
 
The hometown Lady Tigers return to action Sunday when they host the Southern Jaguars at Alexander Durley Stadium on the TSU campus. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.