4 players voted to all-academic team
The Lady Tigers, for the second time in three years, ended the Southwestern Athletic Conference soccer season with a championship.
This year’s SWAC Tournament was played on the campus of Alabama A&M. Mississippi Valley kicked off the tournament by defeating Southern 3-1; followed by Jackson State’s romping of Prairie View 6-2. Setting the stage for the day two that put Grambling State up against Mississippi Valley and Alabama A&M up against Jackson St.
Day two featured two shut outs. GSU was too much for MVSU, who defeated them 2-0. While AAMU gave JSU all they could handle defeating them 3-0. The championship was set GSU and AAMU would meet on championship Sunday.
The championship game would prove to be the best game of the tournament.
The Lady Tigers struck first blood when SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Natasha Nzeakor beat the AAMU goalie on a penalty kick in the 43rd minute. The lead didn’t last long as Ledile Matjekane scored in the 57th minute on a penalty kick, ending all scoring during regulation play.
In overtime, Nzeakor made sure that it was well understood that she deserved SWAC Offensive Player of the Year scoring the championship winning goal in the seventh minute; securing the Lady Tigers’ second championship in three years.
For the Lady Tigers hard work and dedication paid off. Senior Ashley Duerson said, “It was a great way to end my career as a Lady Tiger. A championship is something we have worked for all season-it was the perfect way to show our new coach how much we appreciate her!”