In the East, Jackson State and defending championships Mississippi Valley State will claim the #1 and #2 seeds, respectively. The teams finished the regular season with identical 3-0-1 conference records and played one another to a 0-0 tie earlier this season. However, J-State won the tie-breaker of goal differential in divisional play (9-8), giving the Lady Tigers the edge for the #1 spot over the Devilettes.
At 2-2 in the SWAC’s Eastern division, Alabama A&M heads to the tournament as the #3 seed after wins over Alabama State (4-0) and Alcorn State (3-1) this season. Alcorn State (1-3 SWAC) punched the last ticket in the East when it defeated Alabama State 3-0 on Sunday for its first conference win of the season and the #4 slot.
Grambling State clinched the #1 position in the West when it overcame Arkansas-Pine Bluff 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. GSU came into Sunday’s match with one conference loss while UAPB had yet to suffer a SWAC loss. However, with the Lady Tigers’ victory both teams stand at 3-1 with Grambling State getting the head-to-head advantage and the #1 ranking and UAPB the #2 spot.
Prairie View A&M claims the #3 slot in the West with a 2-2 conference slate. The Lady Panthers posted wins over Texas Southern (3-0) and Southern (1-0) this season to guarantee their position. Rounding out the Western bracket will be Southern in the #4 position. The Jaguars defeated Texas Southern 3-2 on Sunday, giving both teams a 1-3 SWAC record and SU the last tournament ticket with the head-to-head edge.
The 2009 SWAC Soccer tournament will kickoff at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 5th. All matches will be played at the MVSU Soccer Field. The tournament bracket and first round match ups are attached.
Thursday’s First Round Match-Ups
Game 1 – 10:30 a.m.: #2 West – Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. #3 East – Alabama A&M
Game 2 – 1 p.m.: #2 East – Mississippi Valley State vs. #3 West – Prairie View A&M
Game 3 – 3:30 p.m.: #1 West – Grambling State vs. #4 East – Alcorn State
Game 4 – 6 p.m.: #1 East – Jackson State vs. #4 West – Southern