GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University women's soccer team led midway through the first half, but Southern Miss scored three straight goals as the Golden Eagles escaped with a 4-3 victory on Friday at the GSU Soccer Complex.

"The Lady Tigers lost a heartbreaker tonight that was a back and forth affair," Grambling State head coach Justin Wagar said. "I'm proud that our team never stopped battling to the very end. We just ran out of time. We saw a lot of great plays tonight both in the finishing category and on defense. Southern Miss is a strong attacking team. I thought we limited their opportunities and just caught some bad breaks. I'm excited for the future though and what I believe this team can do."
 
Grambling State (1-4) fell behind early for the fourth time in the last five games when Ashton Stennis scored off an assist by JoAnnie Ramos in the 11th minute.
 
The Lady Tigers bounced back 11 minutes later when Brittany Terry and Alyssa Ozuna assisted on Kaylee Holt's second goal of the season, tying the game at 1 in the 22nd minute.
 
Sarah Dunbar's goal, off an assist by Jordyn King, gave Grambling State a 2-1 advantage in the 30th minute, but that would be the last lead the Lady Tigers would hold.
 
Ramos notched the equalizer in the 38th minute off a free kick to send the two teams into the break tied at 2.
 
The Golden Eagles (3-1) broke the 2-2 tie in the 63rd minute as Miah Zuazua scored on a penalty kick and doubled the lead to 4-2 in the 89th minute when Hannah Abrams scored on an unassisted goal.
 
King cut the deficit to 4-3 with a goal just 13 seconds before time expired, but it wasn't enough as the Lady Tigers dropped their third straight game.
 
Turning Point
Grambling State conceded the first goal for the fourth time this season, but showed adversity by scoring the next two goals to grab a 2-1 advantage just 30 minutes into the game.
 
However, Southern Miss was able to get goals by Ramos, Zuazua and Abrams to earn the come-from-behind win.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Hanna Johnson started in goal for the Lady Tigers and played 90 minutes in the net, with three saves.
> Kendell Mindnich tallied four saves in 90 minutes for Southern Mississippi. 
> Southern Mississippi recorded nine shots, including four on goal.
> Grambling State recorded 11 shots, including three on goal.
> The Golden Eagles led the way in corner kicks, 4-0.
> There were 23 total fouls and three yellow cards.
 
Up Next
The Lady Tigers will wrap up the two-match homestand on Sunday, with a 5 p.m. match against LSU-Shreveport.  
 
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