GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University soccer team returns to the field for another season this Thursday when the women's team takes on LSU-Alexandria. The Lady Tigers are coming off a historic season that saw the team punch their ticket to the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament for the first time since 2006.
 
"For Thursday's game we're looking to play everyone that is healthy and use it as a learning experience for our players to see where we are at and what we need to work on," Head coach Justin Wager said. "I think early on this season we'll have a big learning curve and see how quickly we can mesh together and adapt."
 
LSU Alexandria went 16-6 overall this past season and 10-3 in their conference. They were led by senior forward Remmie Ferlie who had 18 goals and 5 assists on the season.
 
The Generals achieved several significant milestones the past season. They set records for the most wins in a single season, the longest win streak, and the longest unbeaten streak in program history. Additionally, they won their first Conference Tournament Championship and qualified for the NAIA National Championship for the first time.
 
Grambling secured their SWAC title last year defeating JSU 2-0. Sophomore forward Sophia Lezizidis won SWAC Women's Soccer Tournament MVP, scoring four goals in tournament play. 

Senior Midfielder Aria Whitney, one of the leaders of the GSU soccer team, won SWAC postseason Midfielder of the year. Alongside Whitney, Defender Adrianna Pratt, Forward Karlyn Judge, and Midfielder Samantha Diaz were all named to the All- SWAC first team.
 
Defender Kaylen Jankans, Forward Beatriz Kretteis, and Goalkeeper Madison Covey-Taylor were selected as All- SWAC second team.
 
The Lady Tigers will kick off the 2024 season with seven straight road games. This season's schedule includes matches against Big 12 member Arizona State and an Athletic Coast Conference opponent, Boston College.
 
Last season, Grambling completed the season with an impressive 15-5-4 overall record and an unbeaten 8-0-1 record in conference play. The Tigers also set a program record with an unbeaten streak of 14 games this past season.

Across the season the squad scored 44 goals and allowed 30. Junior forward Karlyn Judge led the tigers in goals with 9 on the season and had 7 assists to go along with her scoring.
 
According to the SWAC preseason poll, the team is favored to win the conference. Jackson State, the SWAC Tournament runner-up, is a close second.

Several Lady Tigers were also honored with SWAC preseason all-conference accolades.

Senior Aria Whitney, named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Soccer Preseason Midfielder of the Year, also earned a spot on the first team. She was joined by teammates Adrianna Pratt, a senior, and sophomore Kaylen Jankans, who are both defenders. 
 
Sophomore Forward Sophia Lezizdis, junior Forward Kayla Reed, and junior goalkeeper Madison Covey-Taylor were named on the second team.
 
There have been some changes to the roster in the offseason, with four transfers and twelve incoming freshman to bolster the already formidable team.
 
Coach Wager wants to see his newcomers implement their team defense and pressure concept. He emphasized the importance of working hard as a team consistently, to win the ball and then to attack as a unit.

Under the leadership of Coach Wagar, the team looks to continue the past year's success and go even further.

"Last season showed that we are capable of greatness," Wagar said. "Now we want to see if we can replicate and expand that foundation for success."

FOLLOW GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS  
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /GramblingStateTigers1901 (Facebook), @gramblingathletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
 
 
 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video