For the second consecutive season, the Grambling State Lady Tigers found themselves one win away from the SWAC Championship crown.
GSU defeated Alabama State 1-0, in a semifinal match to advance to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament Championship game, at Prairie View A&M Soccer field.
GSU’s miraculous season came to an end Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Tigers were on the losing end of a crucial 1-0 defeat to the two-time SWAC Champions Howard University.
Grambling saw a streak of nine straight shutout matches which ended with the defeat.
The Bison’s reached the back of the net in the 52nd minute after a goal from Jordan Taylor.
Florence David and GSU fought to the end, pushing the ball in the 73rd minute.
David’s shot toward the far post was halted by Bison goalkeeper Alayah Hightower to secure the victory.
The Lady Tigers held the tournament’s top seed coming into the game.
The loss ended the Lady Tigers season with a 14-8 overall record.
GSU’s Jasmine Smith, Kailey Pena, Haileigh Adams and David were selected to the All-Tournament team.
Kaylee Holt led the team in goals with 11, while Pena was second on the team with 9 goals scored.
Head coach Justin Wagar earned his second consecutive SWAC Coach of the Year award.
Under Wagar’s direction, Grambling allowed 1.11 goals per game and boasted the second-best scoring margin among all teams.
The victory allows Howard (13-6-1), to represent the SWAC Conference in the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Soccer Tournament on Monday.