Smith’s late goal lifts Grambling State Lady Tigers to title game

PHOTO COURTESY: CLAY BAILY/SWAC.ORG

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas | Jasmine Smith's goal in the 84th minute proved to be the game-winner as the Grambling State University women's soccer team avenged last season's championship loss to Alabama State with a 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Semifinal victory on Friday afternoon at the Prairie View Soccer Field.

Grambling State (14-7), the top seed in the tournament, will meet No. 2 seed Howard in Sunday's Championship game at 11 a.m. at the Prairie View Soccer Field. Howard battled No. 3 Texas Southern to a 0-0 tie and the Bison won the game, 4-1, in the penalty kick shoot out. The championship game will be streamed live on the SWAC Digital Network. Alabama State, which entered as the two-time defending SWAC Tournament champions and the fourth seed in this year's tournament, ended the season with a 7-11 overall record.

The Lady Tigers dominated the match, but could not find the back of the net. Grambling State registered 14 shots, seven of them coming on frame, but could not get anything past Alabama State goalkeeper Gianna Guyot.

However, in the 84th minute, Smith's shot bounced off Guyot and into the back of the net to give the Lady Tigers a 1-0 lead.

With the victory, Grambling State picked up its ninth straight shutout and have not conceded a goal in 840 minutes.

BOX SCORE

The @GSU_TIGERS soccer team advances to @theswac championship game for the second consecutive year and our fans are pretty hyped about it! GSU will face the winner of the @HUBisonSports vs. @TXSOTigers match! pic.twitter.com/4AbJ7kM5vS

— #BeatMVSU (@Tiffani_Sykes) November 2, 2018

Inside the Numbers
> Rita Siaha started in goal for the Lady Tigers and played 45 minutes with one save
> Hanna Johnson played in the final 45 minutes and did not registered a save
> Gianna Guyot tallied six saves for the Lady Hornets
> Grambling State finished with 14 shots, including seven on frame
> Alabama State tallied four shots, with just one on goal
> The Lady Tigers held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks
> There was a combined 19 fouls

News and Notes
> Grambling State recorded its ninth straight shutout
> The Lady Tigers have not conceded a goal in 840 minutes
> GSU is the top seed in the SWAC Tournament
> The Lady Tigers are seeking their first SWAC Tournament title since 2006
> Grambling State reaches its second SWAC Tournament final in as many seasons
> The Lady Tigers have now won three more games than a season ago (2017 record: 11-7-2)

Up Next
Grambling State advances to Sunday's SWAC Championship game and will face second-seed Howard at 11 a.m. The match will be played at the Prairie View Soccer Field, on the campus of Prairie View A&M University and the game will be streamed live on the SWAC Digital Network.

Follow Grambling State Athletics
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Brian Howard, Sports Information Director
GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS