Three first-half goals send Lady Tigers past Mississippi Valley State

ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Texas Southern Lady Tigers scored three first-half goals Friday to claim a 3-1 win at Mississippi Valley State and remain undefeated in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.
 
Kayla Smith's strike past Mississippi Valley goalkeeper Rita Gyasi in the sixth minute set the tone for the Lady Tigers (6-5-1), who improved to 4-0-1 in league matches.
 
Sarah Sperger, a freshman from Austria, scored her first collegiate goal in the 36th minute to stretch TSU's lead to 2-0. Paige Hayward gave the Lady Tigers further insurance with her team-leading seventh goal of the season two minutes before halftime.
 
The Lady Tigers claimed their first win over Mississippi Valley State since 2013, and avenged a reciprocal 3-1 Devilettes win in Houston last season.
 
Alexis Robles made three saves for the Lady Tigers to pick up her fifth win of the season. Laadi Issaka scored Valley's lone goal in the 80th minute.
 
The Lady Tigers remained tied atop the SWAC table with Howard, which won 1-0 at Jackson State on Friday. TSU also handed the Devilettes (2-6-1) their first conference loss of the season; Valley fell to 2-1-1 in league play.
 
Texas Southern returns to action Sunday afternoon when they visit Alcorn State (1-5, 1-3 SWAC). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.