This past weekend, the Grambling State University Lady Tigers soccer team lost to both Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University. The Lady Tigers hosted both teams at home, playing against Prairie View A&M on Friday and Texas Southern on Sunday.
Grambling came into the weekend 0-1-1 in conference play. The Lady Tigers’ defense kept Prairie View scoreless during the first half of Friday’s game. It wasn’t until the second period that the Lady Panthers were able to score the only point of the game and take home the 1-0 victory over Grambling.
“We just have to play under pressure in practice more so when we get to the game we know what to do,” said sophomore midfielder and forward Savannah John. John had four shots on the goal during the Prairie View game and is currently ranked 10th in the SWAC for shots on the goal.
The Lady Tigers have six more conference games left to play and plenty of time to make it to the conference tournament, according to head women’s soccer coach Totty O. Totty.
“Our ability to get into the tournament is dependent upon the last game,” said Totty. “We feel comfortable that we can get that last win and get into the tournament, and once we do that it will be a whole new game.”
Grambling played a second home game against Texas Southern on Sunday. Texas Southern scored the lone goal in the game in the first half making the final score 1-0. Grambling had several shots on the goal but couldn’t connect to score.
“We’ve had many opportunities to score, we’re just not finishing,” said sophomore midfielder Jazmyne Lewis. “We have more games ahead so it’s just about what’s next.”
Like other athletic teams at Grambling, Coach Totty added several new players to the roster this year, and it has definitely had an impact on the team. “Whenever you have new players it takes some time to gain that team chemistry. Obviously we’re going through that phase, and it’s a little bit challenging,” said Totty. “But I like the direction that we are going; they are doing well and making progress.”
Both John and Lewis were on the team last year and feel that the new additions have had a positive impact on the team. “I think it made us a lot stronger, we get along very well as a team both on and off of the field,” said John. “Having new players has brought us closer together.”
With a record of 0-3-1 the Lady Tigers’ next home game will be on Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. against Alcorn State University.