Huntsville, Ala. – The Alabama State soccer team persevered through a very defensive game to win 1-0 over Alabama A&M to secure its berth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament Friday afternoon at Bulldog Stadium. Also, to add to the Lady Hornets excitement, head coach Jodie Smith captured his 100^th win with this important victory.
 
“We've been stuck on ninety-nine for a while, so it was nice to get this win on the road,” said Coach Smith. “This was such an important game that qualified us for the conference tournament, so we didn't want to leave any doubt. Also, on a personal note, I did grasp win one-hundred on an important game.”
 
A&M outshot State 10 to eight with an even five shots on goal throughout the match. The first half was scoreless for each team, but in the second half ASU's sophomore forward Stephanie Howard scored with less than six minutes left in regulation (84:05) off an assist from junior midfielder Franka Schauss.
 
ASU's freshman goalkeeper Kylee Hathaway made five key saves on several breakaway scoring opportunities in the contest to keep the Lady Bulldogs off the scoreboard for State to come away with the victory.
 
Alabama State enters the SWAC tournament with a record of 2-15-1 overall and 1-2-1 in conference play.
 
Jasmine Wilson, a Business Management student, is the lone senior for the Lady Hornets this season.  State looks to host Prairie View A&M at 1 p.m. next Saturday, October 29 at Hornets Stadium for its Senior Day.
 
“They've (Prairie View) been one of the better teams in the conference over the past couple of years, so we look for this game to be no different from the rest this season, a close one. If we come in a do some of things we've done today, we should have a chance.”
 
 
                                                                                               
-HORNETS