PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas | For the second consecutive season, the Grambling State University women's soccer team reached the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Tournament Championship game only to suffer heartbreak as Jordan Taylor's goal in the 52nd minute proved to be the game-winner as Howard picked up a 1-0 victory on Sunday to capture the tourney title at Prairie View Soccer field.
 
Grambling State, the tournament's top seed, ends its season with a 14-8 record, while Howard (13-6-1) earns the SWAC automatic qualifier with the victory and will find out who they play in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament on Monday.
 
Jasmine Smith,  Kailey Pena, Haileigh Adams and Florence David were selected to the All-Tournament team.
 
In the opening half, Grambling State outshot Howard, 11-0, but the best opportunity for either team came in the 31st minute as Alyssa Ozuna's shot from about 25 yards away banged off the crossbar to keep the game tied at 0.
 
Howard, a two-time SWAC Tournament champion, broke the 0-0 tie in the 52nd minute. Thaila Boucher's long cross found a streaking Taylor and her shot beat Grambling State goalkeeper Hanna Johnson to the far post to give the Bison a 1-0 lead.
 
Taylor nearly doubled the scoreline in the 61^st minute, but her shot sailed over the crossbar to keep the Bison lead to just one goal. However, Grambling State nearly answered just two minutes later when Jasmine Smith's rebound attempt almost found the back of the net.
 
The Lady Tigers built some momentum in the 73rd minute as Florence David's shot toward the far post was pushed away by Alayah Hightower to keep Howard in front, 1-0.
 
That would end up being the best opportunity Grambling State would have as Howard would go on to capture its third SWAC Women's Soccer Tournament title.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Rita Siaha started in goal for the Lady Tigers and played 45 minutes and did not record a save
> Hanna Johnson played in the final 45 minutes and registered four saves
> Alayah Hightower tallied nine saves for Howard
> Grambling State finished with 16 shots, including 11 in the first half
> Howard recorded nine shots, all coming in the second half
> The Lady Tigers held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks
> Rita Siaha has not conceded a goal in 540 minutes
 
News and Notes
> Grambling State saw its streak of nine straight shutouts end when Jordan Taylor scored in the 52nd minute
> The Lady Tigers conceded a goal for the first time in 901 minutes when Jordan Taylor found the back of the net in the 52nd minute
> GSU is the top seed in the SWAC Tournament
> The Lady Tigers have won two SWAC Tournament titles (2004 and 2006)
> Grambling State reached its second SWAC Tournament final in as many seasons
 
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