ASU soccer team reports to camp

MONTGOMERY, AL -- Alabama State University's soccer program has reported to campus and will begin practice for the 2011 season Thursday at 7 a.m.

Head Coach Jodie Smith enters his fifth season at the helm of the program and is very excited about this year's team as the Hornets are coming off the best season in the short seven-year history of the program.

"The girls realized towards the end of the last season we could be a different team," Smith said. "We have several starters returning and we actually had several players hang around this summer and you could tell they had a different approach during the spring and summer towards the program."

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Ex-Alabama A&M soccer player Patricia Ofori killed in car accident

Patricia Ofori
(Photo Courtesy AAMU)

Huntsville, Alabama - An ex-Black Queens player, Patricia Ofori has died following a car accident on April 20, 2011 in Huntsville. Media reports suggest that Ofori, born on June 9, 1981, was on the way to graduate school class when the accident occurred.

Ofori was a former player of Alabama’s A&M women soccer team and played for the Ghana Black Queens at two World cups in 2003 and 2007.

She played for the Bulldogs from 2005-2007 and led the team to the 2007 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, Alabama news website al.com said.

“This is the biggest shock of my life…its unbelievable”, A&M women’s soccer coach Frank Davies was cited by the publication as saying.

Former Black Queens player killed in car crash

Former Black Queens player Patricia Ofori was killed in a car accident Wednesday in Huntsville in the United States. The 29-year-old, who played in two World Cups, lost control of her Ford Mustang while driving. Her car slid into the northbound lane, where it was hit by a pickup truck and caught fire.


She started her career in Ghana with Mawuena Ladies before she was called to the national team in 2003.

Ofori, played for the Bulldogs from 2005-2007 and led the team to the 2007 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.



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Alabama State University student-athletes get it done with high GPAs in the classroom

While Alabama State University athletic programs see plenty of individual success on courts and fields, much of it is equaled in classrooms on campus. Following the fall semester, 95 student-athletes had attained grade point averages of 3.0 or higher, according to the university.

Five student-athletes had a perfect 4.0 GPA while 29 others attained a 3.5 or higher.

The SWAC Eastern Division Champion football team led the way with 15 members reaching that mark while the softball team had 12 and the baseball team had 11. The soccer team had 10 student-athletes with a 3.0 or higher.

95 Student-Athletes Receive 3.0 GPA or Higher in Fall Semester

MONTGOMERY, AL — There have been several strong performances for the Alabama State University athletic programs so far this season, and that performance can also be seen in the classroom. Following the fall semester 95 student-athletes had attained grade point averages of 3.0 or higher.

Five of those student-athletes attained a perfect 4.0 gpa and another 29 student-athletes attained a gpa of 3.5 or higher.

The SWAC Eastern Division Champion football team led the way with 15 members of the team reaching that mark. The softball team had 12 team members and the baseball team had 11 members attain the mark while soccer had 10 student-athletes with a 3.0 or higher gpa.

Several teams with smaller squad sizes had a high percentage of the student-athletes attain the mark such as seven members of the men's golf team and five members of the women's golf team.

Men's tennis, women's basketball and volleyball all had five team members with high gpa's while men's track had six members and women's track had seven members with solid gpa's.

Bowling (three), women's tennis (two) and men's basketball (two) also had student-athletes reach a 3.0 or better gpa.

Below are the student-athletes that have attained the 3.0 and higher gpa.

Baseball                                                 Women's TrackJahmal Brooks                                       Jamie Brooks
Ronald Frost                                          Quayana Browne
Kyle Granger                                          Courtney Gooch
Jourdan Mott                                           Tokeyah Jones
Trent Popp                                              Breana Kelly
Josue Quinnoes                                      Melissa Romelus
Drew Quinney                                        Shanice Mells
Anthony Ricciardi                                  SoccerMitchell Smith                                        Alex Ayers
Rashad Snell                                          Samantha Bruno
Marc Threet                                            Jordan Creel
Women's Basketball                           Melissa Douglas
Yahindra Edwards                                Stephanie Howard
Jasmine Evans                                      Dominique Humphrey
Erica Henderson                                    Lenna Lamas
Tanika Jackson                                      Franka Schauss
Talaih Robertson                                    Jasmine Wilson

Volleyball                                                Helma Von Zadow
Deidra Byner                                           Football
Roselande Corneille                              John Andrews
Genise Fletcher                                      Nick Andrews
Jessica Lindsey                                     Daquandra Campbell
Ana Pego                                                 Tim Clark
Bowling                                                    Drequay Everette
Jessica Ledbetter                                   David Hate
Paige Roquemore                                  Carlton Jones
Briana Wells                                            Saeed Lee
Women's Golf                                         Lorenzo Leonard
Amelie Buhl                                             Andrew Lyons
Taaj Hubbard                                          Zachery Meadows
Danielle Robinson                                Tuipulotu Ofahulu
D'Anrrielle Robinson                             Montavious Paulk
Jessica Williams                                    Corey Schofield
Men's Golf                                               Gregory Smith
Scott Benson                                          Softball
Anthony Dadamo                                   Courtney Crossley
Joseph Killebrew                                   Meagan Dixon
John Montgomery                                  Ayesha Famble
Joseph Morrison                                    Quayanna Forte'
Corey Price                                             Mercedes Frazier
Sam Strachan                                         Ariel Gainey
Men's Tennis                                          Amanda Gracia
Joshua Donaldson                                 Boshia Richardson
Clifford Frazier                                      Brehanna Rodrigues
Jonathan Freeman                                Megan Surovik
Alexis Pierre                                            Brittany Webb
Kevin Tan                                                Tiffany Wooden
Women's Tennis
Shenice Rawlins
Shameka Williams
Men's Basketball
Harvey Dwayne
Ivan Johnson
Men's Track
Jeffery Adams
Vincent Butler
Joaquin Dugan
Christopher Duncan
Jonathan Franklin
Kekei Jephtah

Courtesy: Alabama State University Sports Information Director
 Darrell Orand

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Grambling soccer stuns Louisiana Tech

GRAMBLING, LA – A pair of goals in the final four minutes of regulation and a failed clear of a corner kick in the third minute of overtime allowed Grambling State to overcome a 2-0 deficit and defeat Louisiana Tech 3-2 in overtime Tuesday afternoon at the Lady Tiger Soccer Field. “(Grambling) was the better team today,” Tech head coach Kevin Sherry said. “They wanted it more. They played harder and deserved to win.”

Despite dominating possession and outshooting the Lady Tigers 30-14, a squad mostly made up of reserves in the last few minutes could not hold a 2-0 lead for Tech (4-2). Grambling (1-4) played with only 10 players the entire match. “I take full responsibility for this loss,” Sherry said. “I tried to rest my starters late in the game, and I shouldn’t have done that. That said, we kind of had this loss coming. We’ve gotten away with playing poorly the last two games, and it finally caught up with us.”

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A&M aims to prove '07 was no fluke

Alabama A&M women's soccer coach Frank Davies always tries to find a way to top the previous year. After winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship last season and becoming the first team in league history to score in an NCAA tournament game, Davies says he has found a way. "We've got to repeat," Davies said. "In order to prove that last year wasn't a fluke, we've got to win it again."

In the five-year history of the SWAC championships, there has been no repeat winner. Davies says the Bulldogs can do it if he can find a way to retool their midfield. "How we revamp that unit will be a big key," Davies said. Belinda Kanda, one of the nation's top scorers, returns along with six other starters. Brittan Thomas and newcomer Celeste Roberts will also be counted on to help shoulder some of the scoring load.

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Grambling soccer signs seven with eye on building quickness, solidifying defense

Grambling State University soccer head coach Tamura Crawley announced that a total of seven student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play soccer for the Lady Tigers next season.

With an emphasis on quickness and solidifying the team’s defense, Crawley feels her needs were met with the signees and has high expectations as she expects this group to help her accomplish the goal of winning the SWAC and competing on a high level outside the SWAC.

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Alabama A&M University soccer team wins academic honor

Photo: Alabama A&M University head soccer coach Salah Yousif.

Alabama A&M's men's soccer team was recently honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as a national scholar team.

Fourteen of Salah Yousif's 19 players on this year's roster made the dean's list and the team is carrying a cumulative grade point average of 3.20.

This is the first time the men's soccer team has received such an honor. The Bulldogs finished the season with a 9-8-1 record.

AAMU Soccer Bulldogs fill in holes, roll

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

The Alabama A&M men's soccer team got off to a rough start with losses in four of its first five games, but Salah Yousif's squad has picked up momentum over the last couple of weeks.

The Bulldogs have won two of their last three games and will host the A&M Invitational Saturday and Sunday at John Hunt Park.

A&M will take on Houston Baptist at 11 a.m. Saturday, and Air Force will play Central Arkansas at 1 p.m. On Sunday, Central Arkansas and Houston Baptist collide at noon followed by A&M and Air Force at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

"We're excited about the way we're playing right now," said Yousif, whose team has lost four games by one goal apiece. "Early on, we didn't have enough athletes because guys were either hampered by nagging injuries or hadn't been cleared.

"We're healthier now and we have a bench to work with and that's the difference right now."

Striker Kun Chamjock (Gallatin, Tenn.), defender Mustefa Ahmed (Uganda) and midfielder Eric Kamya (Hyattsville, Md.) were recently cleared to play and Yousif says they have helped immensely.

"Those three guys have made a huge difference," he said. "(Goalkeeper) Paul Musoke has also been terrific."

MfanaFuthi Bhembe and Mosito Ranko, who had surgery on both knees during the offseason, have also been terrific. Through eight games, they are tied for the team lead with eight points apiece.

Chargers have momentum: If pre-conference results are any indication, UAH men's soccer coach Carlos Petersen may be right about his team being a contender for the Gulf South Conference championship

UAH opened the season 1-4, including losses to No. 10 Lynn, No. 9 Rollins and No. 10 Nova Southeastern. Since then, however, the Chargers have reeled off three wins in a row, including a 2-1 victory over No. 25 Barry University.

With four wins, UAH has equaled its win total from last season. The Chargers will try to make it four in a row when Fisk University visits Sunday at 1 p.m. UAH opens GSC play Friday at Ouachita Baptist.

Lady Chargers face UNA: UAH will begin its quest for a berth in the GSC women's soccer tournament today when it visits North Alabama.

The Lady Chargers had their four-game winning streak snapped last weekend in a 5-0 loss to Georgia College, but Lincoln Ziyenge believes his team will bounce back today.

UAH, Ziyenge says, must be able to put two halves together to win in the GSC.

The Lady Chargers have outscored their opponents 12-5 in the first half, but have been outscored 11-6 in the second. UAH has scored 17 goals in five wins, but just one goal in three losses.

Missing Kanda: A&M women's soccer coach Frank Davies knew the Bulldogs would miss Belinda Kanda. He didn't know they'd miss her this much.

With Kanda, A&M led the nation in scoring last season. Without her, the Bulldogs have struggled.

A&M, 1-5-1 on the season, has scored just 10 goals this year and has been shut out four times. However, Kanda, who has been playing with Ghana's national team during the World Cup, could be back next week when the Bulldogs visit Austin Peay on Monday or play Texas Southern next Sunday.

Kanda led the nation in goals per game (1.25) and points per game (3.06) last season.

UAH in bind: Three games into GSC play, the UAH volleyball team finds itself needing a win to have a shot at the playoffs.

The Chargers are 6-15 overall and 0-3 in league play and play their three remaining conference games on the road.

UAH visits Valdosta State on Saturday, West Florida on Sunday and West Georgia on Tuesday.

The Chargers opened the season 3-2, but have lost 13 of their last 16 matches.

Bulldogs need turnaround: After more than two weeks off, A&M volleyball coach Nedra Brown is eager to get her young team back on the court.

Since beating Albany State in the season opener on Sept. 4, the Bulldogs have dropped four straight matches and three of those were in straight sets. Brown and the Bulldogs hope to turn their season around starting Tuesday when they visit Alabama State in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Good effort can't save Lamar soccer against Grambling State

Photo: Lamar’s Beth Squires tries to maintain control of the ball as Grambling State’s Solange Robinson (18) and Natasha Nzeakor (14) defend at Cardinal Stadium in Beaumont on Sunday.

By PERRYN KEYS, The Enterprise

BEAUMONT - The effort was there. The production was better. The result?

Well, for the Lamar soccer team, the final score wasn't much different from its previous six games.

Sunday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium, playing the first official home game in the program's history, the Cardinals fired just as many shots as Grambling State. Lamar, however, did not have just as many goals. In that category, it wasn't even close.

The Tigers scored twice in the first half and poured it on after the intermission in a 6-0 victory that left the Cardinals winless after their first seven games.

"If I was their coach, I would tell them (to) just keep their heads up," Grambling coach Tamura Crawley said of Lamar.

"They have a lot of good players on their team. Just look to connect on more passes, things like that. And again, really keep their heads up."

As lopsided as the score was, it did offer at least some encouragement for the Cardinals.

Before Sunday's game, opponents had outshot Lamar by an average of 29.3 shots per game. In fact, the Cards had managed just eight shots on goal the entire season. Their opponents had 118.

Against Grambling (2-5), Lamar attacked more often and with more success, setting season highs with 19 shots and six shots on goal.

The difference: While the Tigers also took 19 shots, 12 of them were on goal. Six of those 12 found the back of the net.

"Honestly, I think we played some of the best soccer we've played in a long time," Lamar coach Matthew Dillon said. "Unfortunately, we let a couple of soft goals in, and that's always hard to come back from. ... To me, it's one of those games where if you played it 10 times, they'd win five and we'd win five. I think the teams were fairly even and equal, as far as ability (goes). They didn't go our way."

Now comes the hard part.

Despite the progress, the fact of the matter is that Lamar, a startup program in its first year, has been outscored 54-1 in seven games - and while Dillon has not seen his players mail it in yet, even he admitted the post office might not be very far off.

"You start to worry about it now," he said. "Seven games into the season and you're 0-7 - you want to make sure they're positive. You want to make sure they can believe they can win. We've come against some really good teams, and Grambling's a really good team ... (but) if we're 0-10 after 10 games, I think maybe their heads start to drop. At this point, they haven't yet."

Sunday's game is believed to be the first official Lamar sporting event in Cardinal Stadium since the university killed its football program in 1989.

It was also the first official home game for the soccer team, which played a pair of exhibitions last month before opening its regular season at three tournaments on the road.

Three hundred thirty-five fans showed up for the debut. They watched the home team fall behind in the 15th minute, when Grambling's Ashley Baker turned and fired off the first of her three goals on the afternoon.

Angelica Singh followed in the 23rd minute with a slow roller that LU goalkeeper Kelsie Binetti appeared ready to stop. But the ball trickled past Binetti, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Natasha Nzeakor scored on a penalty kick in the 51st minute, and Baker added her second goal on a nice centering pass from Obafemi Alao, who had three assists on the day.

Baker finished off her hat trick with a goal in the 67th minute. Alao added Grambling's sixth goal on a breakaway three minutes later.

Binetti had six saves in goal for Lamar. Stefani Turner and Beth Squires led the Cardinals with four shots off the bench.

"Actually, I thought they really played well," Crawley said of Lamar.

"From the scouting reports I got, I thought this would be a difficult game for us. We came out and took it to them, but I think even to the end, (Lamar) played with a lot of heart and a lot of character."

AAMU Bulldogs hope they're on solid footing

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

It's been a few years since the Alabama A&M men's soccer team was a national contender. Coach Salah Yousif, who has longed to get A&M's program back to national prominence like it was in the late 1970s and early 1980s, says this could be the year.

With a number of starters and key lettermen returning, Yousif says the Bulldogs could field one of their better teams in quite some time.

"This could be my best team in the last four or five years," said Yousif, whose team is 1-3 with all three losses by one goal, including a pair of 3-2 losses at fifth-ranked Santa Clara and San Francisco, respectively.

"We've got 11 starters back and they're all very talented players. The only thing slowing us down right now is injuries. Once we get healthy, we should be in good shape."

MfanaFuthi Bhembe and Mosito Ranko are A&M's top returning players.

Bhembe led the Bulldogs with 16 points, including a team-high seven goals. Ranko finished with 12 points, including five goals. Yousif also highlighted goalkeeper Paul Musoke and defenders David Kimbugwe and Mutumba Ssemagulu.

"Bhembe is one of our most outstanding players," Yousif said. "Paul is outstanding and David and Mutumba are very, very good.

"Mosito and Jabulani (Selumane) are coming back from knee surgery, but they're very important parts of our team. We're not in full force yet, but once we get there, we're going to be a force to be reckoned with."

The Bulldogs picked up their first victory of the season last weekend, beating Georgia Southern 3-0 in the Mercer Tournament, before falling 1-0 Sunday to the University of California-Riverside.

"I'm excited about this season," said Yousif, who has compiled a 217-96-19 record entering his 20th season at A&M, including Division II national championships in 1977 and 1979.

"We're looking forward to better things."