PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas | The Grambling State University women's soccer team fought through 110 minutes to a 0-0 draw against Alabama State, but fell 4-2 in penalty kicks during Sunday's 2017 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Championship match at the PVAMU Soccer Field.
 
"We didn't come out ready to play," Grambling State head coach Justin Wagar said. "We needed to play our game and that didn't happen today. Despite the loss I am so incredibly proud of this team. We were picked to finish 10th in the conference in the preseason and finished second in the regular season. We won just one game last season and we were able to accomplish so much this season. Our goal is to get back here again next season and win the tournament."
 
Alabama State (11-7-2) controlled the game from the start, but couldn't get a shot past Grambling State goalkeeper Jordan Woodward. The freshman goalkeeper recorded six saves and kept the Lady Hornets off the scoresheet until the penalty kick shootout.
 
"Jordan played unbelievable in goal today," Wagar said. "She kept us in the game and there were so many times Alabama State could have scored, but her play in goal today was phenomenal."
 
Alabama State came close to scoring the game-winning goal in regulation as Arielle Lewis' shot found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed because of offsides, keeping the game tied at 0.
 
Grambling State (11-7-2) nearly got the game-winner in the first overtime as Brittany Terry's cross found a streaking Kaylee Holt, but her shot was stopped by Lady Hornets' goalkeeper Gianna Guyot.
 
With the score tied at 0 at the end of both overtimes, the penalt kick shootout phased was used to break the draw as the winner earned the SWAC automatic qualifier.
 
Holt, who was named to the All-SWAC Tournament team, was the first penalty kick taker and her shot went straight down the middle and into the back of the net. However, Inma Martinez converted her kick to even the penalty kick phase at 1 after the first round.
 
In the second round, Jasmine Smith, who earned All-SWAC Tournament honors, and Teaggan Illela converted their kicks to enter the third round tied at 2.
 
Terry stepped up to the penalty spot, but her shot banged off the right post and Alabama State took advantage when Lexi Krieger beat Woodward to give the Lady Hornets a 3-2 edge.
 
In the fourth round, Sage Nelson's shot was stopped by Guyot, meaning if Shelby Unruh scored the game would be over. Unruh stepped up and fired a shot past Woodward to give Alabama State the 4-2 penalty kick victory.
 
With the win, the Lady Hornets earned the SWAC automatic qualifier and will advance to the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament.
 
Inside the Numbers
· Grambling State goalkeeper Jordan Woodward finished with six saves in 110 minutes of action.
· Alabama State goalkeeper Gianna Guyot tallied seven saves.
· The Lady Hornets held a 15-9 advantage in shots, but the Lady Tigers finished with a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal.
· Alabama State led the way in corner kicks, 8-5.'
 
News & Notes
· Grambling State is now 2-2 in SWAC Tournament Championship games
· The Lady Tigers were looking for their first SWAC Tournament Championship in 11 years.
· Grambling State's Justin Wagar was selected the SWAC Coach of the Year.
· Brittany Terry was the lone Lady Tiger named to the All-SWAC First Team.
· Kaylee Holt and Haileigh Adams were selected to the All-SWAC Second Team.
· Grambling State and Alabama State split the season series.
· Alabama State captured its second consecutive SWAC Tournament Championship.
 
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