LORMAN, Miss. – Despite a 1-0 loss to Mississippi Valley State in a rainy Friday night game at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium, the Lady Braves secured the No. 8 seed in the 2017 SWAC Championships. Friday's game was Senior Night for the soccer program.

It marks Alcorn's first post-season appearance since 2011 and third in school history since the program started in 2003. The Lady Braves ended the regular season in a three-way tie for seventh-place in the conference standings alongside Jackson State and Alabama A&M. All three teams went 1-1 against each other, and JSU earned the No. 7 seed on the second tie-breaker, which was goal differential.

"We've achieved what we as a team set as our target for this year – a playoff berth," said head coach Junior Noel. "We had many bumps, obstacles, and set backs along the way, but we kept our focus on what we set out to achieve. Down the stretch, we won when we needed to, although mid-season, we struggled. Now that we are in, the party has just begun. We're ready to dance!"

After several delays due to bad weather, Friday's game began nearly an hour after its scheduled start time. The Devilettes (7-10-1, 5-4-1 SWAC) scored the eventual game-winner in the 30th minute as Sarah Moliner placed a 20-yard free kick to the top left corner of the net. Senior Priscilla Guardado had an opportunity to even the score early in the second half as she was fouled in the penalty box, but MVSU's goalie saved the ensuing kick.

Redshirt-sophomore Rita Okoro and freshman Mireya Gonazlez both put 1-of-2 shots on frame to lead Alcorn on offense. Freshman keeper Kameran Proby played just over 57 minutes and recorded one save. Alcorn took more shots (6-4) and corners (6-3).

The Lady Braves will face the defending champion and top-seeded Alabama State in a 10 a.m. match on Nov. 2 in the first round of the conference tournament, hosted by Prairie View A&M.

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