HOUSTON – The Texas Southern Lady Tigers completed a sweep through the opening weekend of Southwestern Athletic Conference play Sunday as they edged Alabama State 1-0.
Paige Hayward converted a penalty kick barely three minutes into the second half to give the Lady Tigers (4-5) a lead they would not relinquish as the TSU defense stifled its opposition for the duration of the match.
The win pushed Texas Southern to the top of the SWAC table alongside Arkansas–Pine Bluff with a 2-0 record after the opening weekend of league play. The visiting Lady Hornets (2-8) fell to 1-1 in SWAC play.
Alexis Robles made three saves for the Lady Tigers – all in the first half – to pick up her third victory and second shutout of the season. Robles also picked up a 1-0 win over St. Thomas last month in match that also featured Hayward scoring the match-winner on a penalty kick.
On an overcast day that featured bursts of a rain and a one-hour lightning delay, Hayward netted her team-leading fifth goal of the season when the Lady Tigers were awarded a penalty kick after Alabama State was whistled for a handball in the penalty area. The native of New South Wales, Australia, calmly placed the ball in the bottom left-hand corner of the net to give TSU the lead.
Though the Lady Hornets started strong, they were allowed few scoring chances; meanwhile, ASU goalkeeper Gianna Guyot had a busy afternoon, turning away eight shots on goal.
The Lady Tigers were denied a second goal in the 67th minute when Guyot stopped two shots three seconds apart. Rania Kablawi fired a strike from 22 yards that was turned away by the ASU goalkeeper. Kablawi's shot rebounded right to Madison Phillips, whose try from six yards was also turned away by Guyot.
Alabama State was denied their best scoring chance in the 36th minute, when Lexi Krieger's high, arcing header was stopped by Robles' outstretched arms. Krieger was credited with all three of the Lady Hornets' shots on goal.
Heavy rains and the accompanying lightning stopped the match after 75 minutes, and there was doubt as to whether the contest would be resumed, as NCAA rules dictate 70 minutes must be played for a match to become official. When the teams resumed an hour later at 3:48 p.m., the Lady Hornets went into full attack mode, but were unable to put a shot past the TSU defense.
The Lady Tigers play their next four matches on the road, with trips to Arkansas–Pine Bluff and Grambling State awaiting them next weekend. Friday's match at Pine Bluff is scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
