LORMAN, Miss. - Senior Alexandra Salvador scored the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute, but Alabama State netted a quick pair late to escape with a 2-1 conference victory Friday afternoon at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium. The Lady Braves fall to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the SWAC, while the Lady Hornets improve to 3-5, 1-0.

Alcorn had a full-team effort and was led offensively by redshirt-sophomore Rita Okoro's six shots, including three on goal. Salvador placed one of her three shots on target and junior Yaira Guardado put one of two shots on goal. Freshmen Jaydah Myers and Mireya Gonzalez also contributed a shot each. On the defensive side of the pitch, freshman Kameran Proby made her third start and recorded eight saves in a full-match effort.

"From day one here, that has been our focus, playing more as a team and less as individuals," said head coach Junior Noel. "We're starting to recognize that we can do so much better when everyone puts their head together and their effort together. We understand the only way we can be successful is if we work together as a unit."

Neither team could find the back of the net in an opening half that saw the visitors outshoot the Lady Braves 7-4. The defending SWAC champions looked to capitalize off a corner kick in the 13th minute, but Proby saved back-to-back shots from close-range. Alcorn got an opportunity in the 33rd minute as a Gonzalez corner found Myers in the box, but Alabama State's keeper was there to make the save. The Lady Braves got one last look in the first half as Gonzalez took another corner in the 45th minute, but the Burbank, Calif. native couldn't connect with anyone.

In the second half, the Lady Hornets had a couple early opportunities to break the score open, but shots in the 66th and 75th minutes both hit the right post. Alcorn finally broke open the game as redshirt-senior Viktoriya Mihaylova was fouled in the far right corner of the field. The Sofia, Bulgaria native played a quick touch into a streaking Salvador, and she buried the shot to put the Lady Braves on top with just over six minutes to play.

Alabama State was quick to answer, however, as Teaggan Ilela found Lexi Krieger for the 85th minute equalizer. Less than two minutes later, Krieger drove the ball down the left side and dumped the ball in the middle of the 12-yard box and Ariela Lewis capitalized for the decisive score.

"It was a lapse in concentration," added Noel. "We go ahead that late in the game and we lose focus for a split second and that was enough for them to get the equalizer. It's part of the learning curve. But from where we were last year and to come and play our first conference game the way we did, it speak volumes to the adjustments the girls have made. I told them after the game from here, we can only get better. These are experiences that we need."

The Lady Braves took more corner kicks (6-4), recorded more saves (8-5), and committed fewer fouls (8-11).

Alcorn has a quick turn-around as the Lady Braves welcome Alabama A&M on Sunday for a 1 p.m. SWAC contest.

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