Lady Hornets Down Southern

Alabama State scored three unanswered goals to defeat Southern 3-2 Sunday in a non-conference soccer match at A.W.Mumford Stadium.

Alabama State faced an early 2-0 first-half deficit before rallying with the first of two India Pleasant goals before halftime, and second-half goals by Pleasant and Alexandria Cannon to improve to 5-2-2 in the last nine matches.

“We dug a hole for ourselves, and then we kind of started putting it together, playing a little more composed,” head coach Jodie Smith said. “Once we got that first goal, we felt the second one would come eventually.”

The Lady Hornets (6-7-2) missed an early scoring chance as India Pleasant hit the post less than two minutes into the match. On the ensuing possession, Southern (0-10-1) scored to take an early 1-0 lead at the 4' mark.

After falling behind 2-0, Pleasant got the Lady Hornets got on the board at the 42' mark of the match. Alabama State tied the score at 2-2 in the second half at the 63rd minute. Alexandria Cannon scored her seventh goal of the season on an assist by Anastasia McCleary, her fifth of the season to lead the Lady Hornets.

Cannon's second goal, her ninth of the season, at the 77' minute mark put the Lady Hornets ahead to stay.

“They've been our go-to people all year. Annie (McCleary) has been providing a lot of assists, and Alex and India up front have been the threats. We'll be as successful as they can carry us offensively.”

The Lady Hornets posted just their second win on the road this season heading into the final two home matches Friday against Mississippi Valley State and Sunday vs. Alcorn State.

“We have not been good on the road. So to lose on Friday in a big game (at Jackson State), and to rebound here, maybe we're maturing a little bit and find some ways to win,” Smith said. “We had a different lineup today, with some girls who had not played a lot earlier in the season played good games today, particularly Melissa Douglas, who played a really good game in the middle.”

GO HORNETS

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