LORMAN, Miss. – Maya-Joy Thompson's first goal of the season in the opening half was followed by Sage Magruder's goal in the second half to allow visiting Jackson State a 2-0 win over Alcorn in what was the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opening match of the 2022 women's soccer season for the Braves on Friday evening at Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium.
Alcorn (2-6-1, 0-1-0 SWAC) had the first clear chance at goal early-on off a corner kick, created by
D'Ana Prieto's shot from just outside the box that was eventually cleared by Jackson State keeper Tionna Taylor at her near post.
Moments later, Jackson State (3-6-1, 2-0-1 SWAC) responded with their first clear shot at goal of the game, seeing Maya-Joy Thompson's shot from close range deflected out by Braves starting goalkeeper
Paula Argelaguet.
However, the breakthrough would eventually come in the 17th minute for the visitors.
After the Tigers' Kendyl Terrell saw her shot miss wide of the mark, the rebound was put back home from a poacher's distance by teammate Thompson, soring her first goal of the season and giving JSU the 1-0 advantage in the game.
Alcorn would have a handful of chances during the remaining moments of the opening half to test JSU's Taylor in goal, but efforts from
Ha'Teya Holloman and
Briana Johnson would each fall short of the net. In fact, the Braves would have no better chance in the game than Johnson's first half effort, after the referee pointed to the spot in the 33rd minute seeing a foul inside the box on the Braves
Samara Nunn who was darting out to the right side.
From the spot, Johnson went low and to the keeper's right, but it would be Taylor guessing correctly in the end to beat the ball away for a corner, thus preserving her side's 1-0 lead at the break.
In the second half,
Emily Serrato's shot from distance was off-target for Alcorn, before sophomore
Charlie Bal appeared to be clear through on goal in the 58th minute. However, the Phoenix, Arizona native saw her attempt at goal deflected from the side off the boot of Ayana Pinder.
The Braves would come to rue those misses later on as the Tigers put the game to bed in the 61st minute with Sage Magruder slotting home a shot off assists from Alexes Sanchez and Pinder, registering what would be the 2-0 conference win in the process.
Of the eight shots on the night by the Purple and Gold, two came by way of Serrato, while Johnson and Prieto recorded shots on target each, respectively.
JSU was led by Magruder's three shots, two of those on target – including her second half goal (her second of the season as well). Forward Thompson also had three shots, all three of them on target with her first half goal to match.
The win went to JSU starter Taylor in net, as she posted three saves in the clean sheet victory for her side. Meanwhile, it was Argelaguet accepting the loss for the Braves, while also amassing four saves in the contest for her team between the posts.
Alcorn returns home Sunday, Oct. 2, as the Braves play host to Southern (La.) in a SWAC contest back at Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium at 1 p.m.
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