Courtesy: SWAC.org
Alexandria, La. — Junior forward Shanesse Spratt scored two goals and goalkeeper Shelby Willcocks served up a shutout as Mississippi Valley State beat Jackson State 2-0 to claim the 2012 SWAC Women’s Soccer tournament title. It is the first title for MVSU since 2008 and third overall.
The Devilettes (8-9-3) claimed the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. MVSU will find out where they will be headed on Monday when the tournament bracket is announced on Monday. The NCAA tournament begins on Friday, Nov. 9.
After a rainy morning, the conditions cleared up nicely. Though overcast and breezy, the rain moved out promoting optimum conditions for soccer.
It didn’t take long for the first goal to be registered as Spratt got the Devilettes on the board in the 8th minute with an unassisted goal. The Lady Tigers turned up the heat in their effort to even the score, but MVSU keeper Shelby Willcocks was up to the challenge, stopping all four shots at the goal by JSU.
After outshooting JSU 6-5 in the first 45 minutes, MVSU took a 1-0 lead into intermission.
In the 78th minute, Alexandra Neumann sent a pass ahead of the pack where Spratt was racing free with nothing between her and the goal but JSU keeper Taylor Emerson. Spratt fired a shot high over the outstretched hands of Emerson into the net for her second goal of the day.
Willcocks finished off the shutout with five saves, earning a spot on the All-Tournament team. Willcocks was joined on the All tournament team by teammates Kayla Boyd, Hailey Beekman, Kadie Soall, Jerrica Salido and Nykosi Simmons. Spratt was named tournament MVP.
JSU was represented on the All-Tournament team by Shatiaunna Banks, Kleopatra Ruddock, Alexandra Goutier and Ariana Gardner.
