LORMAN, Miss. – Ayana Noel's goal in the 26th minute proved to be the difference maker on Friday evening, as visiting Texas Southern claimed a 1-0 win over Alcorn in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) women's soccer action at Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium.
Despite controlling possession for much of the opening half, it was a Braves giveaway in midfield that led to the eventual match-winner.
Ayana Noel of Texas Southern (3-8-2, 3-1-1 SWAC) gathered an ill-timed turnover in possession by the Braves just ahead of the halfway line and used pace to beat the defense en route to netting her second goal of the season with a scorching shot from 12 yards out. Alcorn keeper
Paula Argelaguet charged out to try and stop the counterattack from Noel, but it was to no avail as Noel slotted the ball home past the senior keeper's diving attempt at a deflection.
The 26th-minute goal served as the only one of its kind on the night for either side.
In the second half, Alcorn (2-8-1, 0-3-0 SWAC) had two excellent opportunities to get something from the game.
A header from
Emily Serrato inside the box in the 70th minute forced a save from TXSU goalkeeper Jaidyn Christophe, while Braves teammate
Zea Anderson laced a shot at goal from 19 yards out that forced another save from Christophe in goal.
With Christophe mishandling the ball just outside the box in the 80th minute, the Braves had back-to-back opportunities for shots at goal with
Audrey Williams and
Briana Johnson standing over the kick.
Charlie Bal's attempt was deflected away in the 81st minute, seeing Tigers central defender Melissa Knutson stick a boot out just in time to curb what could have been a shot on target for the Phoenix, Arizona sophomore.
Argelaguet was called into action late-on as the Tigers looked to perform another devastating counterattack, with the Barcelona, Spain native making a diving save on Texas Southern midfielder Sammie Garcia who had broken away on a through ball served from Hayden McMillan.
Alcorn freshman forward
Samara Nunn tallied two shots on target in the contest, while midfielder Serrato also had two shots on goal for the Braves.
TXSU's Noel had six shots altogether in the game – two of those falling on target, including the game-winning goal in the opening half. Garcia recorded a pair of shots on goal for the visitors as well.
The win went to Christophe in goal, tallying six saves to grab her third win of the campaign. Argelaguet accepted the loss for the Braves, as she managed six saves on the night in falling to 1-5-1 altogether in goal for the year.
The Braves return to action Sunday, Oct. 9, when Alcorn plays host to Prairie View A&M inside Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium at 1 p.m. The game will serve as
Senior Appreciation Day, as seniors
Paula Argelaguet,
Ha'Teya Holloman,
Mikayla Shaughnessy and
Jada Ward will play their last home game for the Purple and Gold. Also being honored is senior team manager Alisa Evans from Accokeek, Maryland.
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@AlcornSoccer) for all the latest news and updates. For all Alcorn State Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (
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