LORMAN, Miss. - The Alcorn State University women's soccer team kicks off conference play this weekend, beginning with a 4 p.m. match Friday against Alabama State (2-5) at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium. The Lady Braves will then host Alabama A&M (0-7) Sunday at 1 p.m.
"I think we're well-prepared for this weekend," said head coach Junior Noel. "Obviously we would have liked a few more non-conference games to prepare, but that didn't happen. That said, we've worked on our mental side of the game and the girls have responded very well. I think everyone is driven and committed to doing well in the conference. They see this first game on Friday as a stepping stone for us to make the change that we want to make here over the next few years. Alabama State has been one of the better teams in the conference, so it's good that we can go up against them in the first game."
Redshirt-sophomore Rita Okoro and senior Alexandra Salvador have each netted goals to lead the Lady Braves, with Okoro's 14 shots pacing the team's attack. On defense, senior Priscilla Guardado has garnered a pair of SWAC Defensive Player of the Week honors this season and freshman Kameran Proby was named SWAC Goalkeeper of the Week on Sept. 11. The McDonough, Ga. native made her first two career starts against East Texas Baptist and Nicholls State, earning her first shutout with four saves in the 1-0 victory over the Colonels.
Alabama State | Sept. 22 | 4 p.m.
The Lady Hornets are coming off a 4-0 loss at Lipscomb last Sunday and have wins over Southeastern Louisiana and Presbyterian. Lexi Krieger and Inma Martinez have each scored three goals with an assist to lead Alabama State with seven points apiece. Ariela Lewis follows with three goals. Keeper Gianna Guyot has made all seven starts in the net and has allowed 25 goals (3.52 per game) with 65 saves (72.2 percent).
Friday's game will be the 14th meeting between the two programs, with the Lady Hornets ahead 8-5 in the all-time series. Alabama State took last year's Oct. 23 meeting in Montgomery by a score of 9-2. Okoro scored both of Alcorn's goals in the 51st and 60th minutes. The first came from roughly 40 yards out into the left corner of the net, while the second was tapped in off a deflected penalty kick.
Alabama A&M | Sept. 24 | 1 p.m.
The Lady Bulldogs are in search of their first win on the season and are coming off a 4-0 loss at Wofford last Sunday. Tajah Dallemand and Alexus Lawson have each netted a goal to lead Alabama A&M on offense. Goalie Jodi Medina has allowed 15 goals (2.16 per game) with 63 saves (80.8 percent).
Sunday's contest marks the 17th meeting with the Lady Bulldogs, who own a 14-0-2 record in the all-time series. In the Oct. 21 meeting last season, Alcorn took five shots with sophomore Gabrielle Jones-Hall putting one on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Linney recorded nine saves in the 5-0 loss to A&M.
"They want to play and do well," added Noel. "The girls are fired up going into these games and it's a big weekend for Alcorn athletics. Football has their first conference game and volleyball is going on the road to start their conference play as well, so we are all driven here as an athletic family for this weekend."
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