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GSU soccer team routs Alabama State in home finale

After a 2-1 letdown against Alabama A&M on Friday, the Lady Tigers soccer team returned on Sunday with a vengeance, thumping Alabama State 11-0. At intermission, a special ceremony was held for nine seniors who were playing their last game at home. During the ceremony, they were praised for their hard work and various accomplishments through their years at Grambling State.

On the offensive end, GSU (10-8) scored early and often. Even though the statistics are misleading (ASU had 0 shots and eight corner kicks), the Lady Tigers had a stranglehold on the entire game; however the team missed open shots.

“This was an important win for us because it lifts our confidence and to send our seniors out with a win. It is important to defend home territory,” said soccer coach Tamura Crawley.

Alabama State looked hopeless; they could not get their offense or defense going at all. They had no answer for Grambling.

The Hornets attempted eight corner kicks but failed to convert on any of them. Alabama State looked finished at halftime and coasted through the second half.

The Lady Tigers have two road games remaining on their regular season schedule (Oct. 26 at Alcorn State and Oct. 28 at Mississippi Valley State) before the Lady Tigers start the SWAC tournament on Nov. 7 in Lake Charles.

Crawley, since arriving at Grambling, is 14-3 against SWAC opponents. The probable first-round opponent for the defending champs will most likely be Jackson State or Alabama A&M, and both have a victory over Grambling this season.

Alabama A&M and Jackson State are very similar teams, they are both known for their very physical play, up-tempo offense and their stingy defense.

“In order for us to win, we must play our game,” Crawley added. “We cannot afford to have mental lapse against any teams during the tournament.”

The keys to victory for the team are scoring early, stingy defense, physical play and converting open opportunities.