MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State closed out the regular season with 2-1 overtime win over in-state rival Alabama A&M Friday night, giving the Lady Hornets the outright regular season Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship.

"I am really proud of our team," Alabama State head coach Jodie Smith said. "We were mentally focused for our league play and tonight was a great example of that. We were able to take the lead and then the game gets tied, just to keep working to create an opportunity. I am thrilled for Grace, she works so hard and what a time to get your first career goal. It is time to refocus and prepare for the a tough SWAC Tournament." 

After a scoreless first half, Alabama State struck first in the match with a goal in the 64th minute off the foot of Kassandra Schoen – her fourth goal of the season – on an assist from Rylee Stoehner. Alabama A&M wasted little time evening the game in the 66th minute on a goal from Jameela Barrett – her third of the season.

The teams went scoreless over the final 24 minutes of regulation and remained that way until Grace Norbury scored her first goal of the season in the 95th minute on an assist from Isabella Beortegui to clinch the match and the regular season championship.

Alabama State (6-2-1, 6-0-1 SWAC) finished unbeaten in the regular season with their only blemish a 1-1 draw with Grambling State back on March 7 in Montgomery. The Lady Hornets claimed their second regular season championship since 2017 after the conference switched from divisional play in 2014. That same year Alabama State won their second of back-to-back tournament titles and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Lady Hornets will now await the seeding for the SWAC Tournament that takes place in Prairie View (Texas) on April 8 and ends with the championship match on April 11.

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