MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State women's soccer team will hit the road one final time in the regular season with trips to Baton Rouge, La. and Jackson, Miss. for conference clashes with Southern (1-10 overall, 1-4 SWAC) on Friday at 6 p.m. and Jackson State (2-8 overall, 2-2 SWAC) on Sunday at 1 p.m. 

Alabama State (4-9 overall, 3-2 SWAC) will look to keep their momentum going after a dominant weekend at home last week in which it outscored its' opponents Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State 12-1.   

In recent matches, the Lady Hornets have thrived in sharing the ball and keeping possession. 

Of note, seven different players scored in the Grambling win and three players each scored once in the victory against Pine Bluff. 

"I was really pleased that we were able to answer the bell after dealing with a little adversity," said ASU head coach Jodie Smith.

"Pine Bluff was playing with a lot of confidence since they hadn't lost yet in conference.  We were able to, not only play within ourselves and not concede a tying goal, but get another goal to give us a two-goal cushion.  When we're playing well, we can do a lot of good things.  The nice thing about Sunday was that we were able to get into a rhythm early.  We scored an early goal to allow us to settle down. We were able to maintain pressure.   When we get a lot of different people on the score sheet, then we're able to play a lot of players. It was nice to get a real, team victory where everybody can contribute.  We should gain a lot of confidence from this."

Alabama State defeated Southern 6-0 in last season's meeting behind two goals from Aa. Lewis and one goal and three assists from Ar. Lewis. 

ASU followed that win up with a 2-0 victory against Jackson State with both goals coming from Emily Fleming. 

Both matches were played in Montgomery. 

Players to watch

Southern freshman forward Sophia Zavala has made herself quickly known in the short time that she's played on the Lady Jaguars.

In 11 starts, Zavala has scored seven goals to rank tied for second in the SWAC in that category.
 
Jackson State has had more of a spread offense with four players totaling two goals apiece, but senior midfielder Jalana Ellis is a familiar face in the rivalry between the teams. 

Ellis stays on the field often for the Lady Tigers with 715 minutes played (third highest on the team) and is one of the four players who have scored twice during the 2016 season. 

Who's hot

ASU's Aaliyah Lewis continued her red-hot torrid streak in recent matches by adding another three goals and two assists in last weekend's victories against SWAC opponents Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State.

Aa. Lewis has registered seven goals in her previous seven matches and holds a co-share of the conference lead in points (20) with her sister Ariela Lewis.

"Obviously, I'm a little bias, but I think they are [the best tandem in the conference]," Smith said.

"When you consider that not only that they score the goals, but they impact the game by sharing the ball as well." 

HOW TO FOLLOW THIS WEEKEND

LIVE STREAMING VIDEO

Friday @Southern
http://livestream.com/accounts/20860658/events/6492428
 
Sunday @Jackson State
http://livestream.com/accounts/20860658/events/6492438
 
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