PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Lady Tigers of Texas Southern University saw their soccer season come to an end Friday after falling to Alabama State in the semifinals of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament.
The full 90 minutes and two overtime periods were not enough to break a 1-1 tie, as the defending SWAC champion Hornets advanced to the championship match thanks to a 6-5 advantage on penalty kicks.
The Lady Tigers, who had reached the semifinals with a 1-0 defeat of tournament host Prairie View A&M, saw their season end with a record 8-7-3.
Alabama State struck first when Teaggan Ilela scored 65 seconds after the opening whistle. That score would hold until the second half, when Kelly Sanders (pictured) leveled in the 52nd minute.
TSU goalkeeper Tammy Syron made five saves during regulation and the two overtime periods. The first-year standout from Bartlett, Ill., was named the SWAC's Freshman of the Year prior to the tournament.
A total of seven rounds of penalty kicks were needed to determine who would advance to the finals. Mercedes Padilla of Alabama State netted the final penalty pick to send the Lady Hornets to the championship.
The semifinal match marked the final collegiate contests for TSU seniors Maya Turner and Paige Hayward. Turner, a defender from Monroe, La., was a four-year starter who finished her collegiate career among TSU's all-time leaders in matches played (67), matches started (59), and minutes played (4,967).
Hayward, a native of Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia, was a three-year letterwinner for the Lady Tigers after transferring from Texas–Brownsville when that school's athletics programs were dissolved. A starter in all 55 matches in which she played, Hayward ends her TSU career as the school's all-time leader in goals (25), assists (12), and points (62).
The Lady Tigers' 8-7-3 record was the second winning record in team history, and second in two years under head coach Kathryn Saunders.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics
The full 90 minutes and two overtime periods were not enough to break a 1-1 tie, as the defending SWAC champion Hornets advanced to the championship match thanks to a 6-5 advantage on penalty kicks.
The Lady Tigers, who had reached the semifinals with a 1-0 defeat of tournament host Prairie View A&M, saw their season end with a record 8-7-3.
Alabama State struck first when Teaggan Ilela scored 65 seconds after the opening whistle. That score would hold until the second half, when Kelly Sanders (pictured) leveled in the 52nd minute.
TSU goalkeeper Tammy Syron made five saves during regulation and the two overtime periods. The first-year standout from Bartlett, Ill., was named the SWAC's Freshman of the Year prior to the tournament.
A total of seven rounds of penalty kicks were needed to determine who would advance to the finals. Mercedes Padilla of Alabama State netted the final penalty pick to send the Lady Hornets to the championship.
The semifinal match marked the final collegiate contests for TSU seniors Maya Turner and Paige Hayward. Turner, a defender from Monroe, La., was a four-year starter who finished her collegiate career among TSU's all-time leaders in matches played (67), matches started (59), and minutes played (4,967).
Hayward, a native of Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia, was a three-year letterwinner for the Lady Tigers after transferring from Texas–Brownsville when that school's athletics programs were dissolved. A starter in all 55 matches in which she played, Hayward ends her TSU career as the school's all-time leader in goals (25), assists (12), and points (62).
The Lady Tigers' 8-7-3 record was the second winning record in team history, and second in two years under head coach Kathryn Saunders.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics