Saturday, October 27, 2018

Grambling State Claims SWAC Regular Season Soccer Crown


PINE BLUFF, Arkansas | Kaylee Holt scored for the seventh straight game and the Grambling State University women's soccer team ran its scoreless streak to 660 minutes on Friday afternoon as the Lady Tigers captured their first-ever Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) regular season championship with a 3-0 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

 Grambling State (12-7 overall, 9-1 SWAC), which now ran its streak to seven shutout victories, have never won the outright regular season SWAC championship. When the conference was in divisional play, Grambling State had won the west division from 2003-2010, including capturing the tournament crowns in 2004 and 2006.

 The Lady Tigers will meet Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1 in the opening round of the 2018 SWAC Women's Soccer Tournament in Prairie View, Texas.

 Grambling State, which yielded just one goal in 10 conference matches, broke open the scoring in the 17th minute. Kailey Pena dished off the ball to a streaking Kaylee Holt down the left side and the sophomore forward from South Jordan, Utah fired the ball in the upper left corner, giving the Lady Tigers a 1-0 advantage.
 
GSU doubled the scoreline in the 41st minute as Jasmine Smith beat the defender to the end line and her cross found Clarissa Rivas in the penalty area. Rivas shot beat a diving Sariah Orocu to extend the margin to 2-0.
 
The Lady Tigers put the game away in the 81st minute as Brittany Terry's assisted on Kristy Melendez diving header to give Grambling State a comfortable 3-0 lead.
 
Defensively, Rita Siaha played the first 45 minutes and registered three saves. She has not conceded a goal in 405 minutes. Hanna Johnson played in the final 45 minutes in goal.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Rita Siaha recorded three saves in 45 minutes
> Hanna Johnson played in the final 45 minutes in goal and did not record a save
> Sariah Orocu tallied five saves for Arkansas-Pine Bluff
> Grambling State finished with 17 shots, including 12 in the first half
> Arkansas-Pine Bluff registered eight shots, including three in the second half
> The Lady Tigers held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks
> There was a combined 19 fouls and three yellow cards
 
News and Notes
> Grambling State recorded its seventh straight shutout
> The Lady Tigers have not conceded a goal in 660 minutes
> Grambling State finished the regular season with 27 points, while Howard had 25 points
> GSU earned the No. 1 seed for next week's SWAC Women's Soccer Tournament
> The Lady Tigers surpassed their win total from a year ago (2017 record: 11-7-2)
 
Up Next
Grambling State has concluded the regular season and clinched the No. 1 seed at next week's SWAC Women's Soccer Tournament in Prairie View, Texas. The Lady Tigers will take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the opening round of the tournament at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1.
 
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.

 GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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