VICKSBURG, Miss. – Larissa Joso Luma scored her first goal of the season for Alcorn on Thursday morning as the Braves fell to visiting McNeese 2-1 in the season opener for both programs at Key City Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
 
Trailing 2-0 in the second half, Alcorn (0-1) took advantage of a turnover with Grace Ambrose centering the ball to Larissa Joso Luma just on the top of the box, as the Cameroonian put it away for her first goal of the season to bring the Braves to within 2-1 with just over 20 minutes remaining.
 
The Braves had several attempts in the second half, forcing McNeese (1-0) substitute goalkeeper Celeste Marijnissen into three second half saves. For the Braves, shots on target came from Bridget Sakyi, Annick Zouma and Ambrose, respectively.
 
The Cowgirls managed a pair of goals in quick succession in the latter stages of the opening 45 minutes of play.
 
Just over the half-hour mark, Emma Korhonen took a pass from the midway line from teammate Ella Grace Davis to place a shot past starting Alcorn keeper Renata Da Rosa for the game's opening goal.
 
Less than two minutes later, the Cowgirls were through on goal again, this time with Korhonen – the previous goal scorer – turned assist-maker, as she played a ball through to Gabbi Barusic for the 2-0 McNeese advantage.
 
In fact, the two goals for the visitors were the only two goals on target for the match.
 
Time of possession favored the Braves by having the ball almost 65 percent of the contest. Both goals for McNeese came by way of a counter attack with the Braves pressuring forward.
 
Alcorn attempted 11 shots to McNeese's five, with the homestanding Purple and Gold also taking seven corners.
 
The Braves will look to even their season record Sunday, Aug. 16, when traveling to Louisiana-Monroe at 1 p.m.
 
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