ITTA BENA, Miss. – In an opportunity to grab first place all to themselves, the Alabama State women's soccer team stumbled in the second half to fall at Mississippi Valley State 5-1 on Sunday afternoon at the MVSU Soccer Field. 
 
The Lady Hornets (5-9-1 overall, 5-2 SWAC) were able to knot the score at 1-1 in the 55^th minute when junior Aaliyah Lewis buried a goal from the right side of the net on an assist from Ariela Lewis.   
 
It was AA. Lewis' return to the starting lineup after missing Friday's 9-0 win at Alcorn State with an undisclosed injury. 
 
With the score, AA. Lewis went over the 100-point plateau in her career at ASU to give her 101 points. 

It was also her 40^th career goal as a Lady Hornet. 
 
The Devilettes (9-6-1 overall, 6-0-1 SWAC) fired back, however, with the game-winner from Nykosi Simmons in the 62th minute. 
 
After a goal by Laadi Issaka made it 3-1 in the 77^th minute, Ernestina Abambila completed the hat trick with her second and third goals in the final seven minutes of the match. 
 
"We made mistakes and paid for them," said ASU coach Jodie Smith. "We were battling well and got back to 1-1.  We just didn't play well in our own area.  We didn't communicate and organize very well. They got their last two goals when we pushed numbers up to try to create an opportunity to tie.  We let it get away."  
 
ASU was outshot 21-10 for the match including 12-6 for shots on goal. 
 
It was the fifth consecutive win for Valley, who now is in first place all alone in the SWAC.
 
The loss breaks a three-match winning streak for ASU. 
 
Gianna Guyot made seven saves for the Lady Hornets in goal. 
 
Next, Alabama State will return home to host Texas Southern on Friday at 7 p.m. followed by a Sunday match with Prairie View A&M on Sunday at 1 p.m. for Senior Day at the ASU Soccer Complex. 
 
                                                                                                        #GOHORNETS#