The Mississippi Valley State Devilettes are the 2008 SWAC Soccer Champions as they defeated the Lady Tigers of Jackson State 2-1 Sunday afternoon.
MVSU jumped on the board first as Ashley Bailey scored in the 42nd minute of play. JSU answered quickly as Lakeisha Herman found Naira Crimiel less than 30 seconds later.
Tied 1-1 at halftime, the second half opened strong as Apolonia Kukla scored in the 46th minute to give the Devilettes a 2-1 lead. The play in the second period picked up. Both teams increased their offensive attacks, but no one could put goals on the board. In the end, MVSU ended the match earning their second conference title.
All-Tournament Team
MVSU – Kate Johnston (Most Outstanding Performer)
MVSU – Ashley Bailey
JSU – Shadien Mars
JSU – Naira Crimiel
AAMU – Belinda Kanda
AAMU – Letisha Davis
UAPB – Jade Wesgt
GSU – Cherie Silas
GSU – Chelsea Miller
PVU – Claudia Martinez
TXS – Saycha Mitchell
ALS – Monique Sylvester
Mississippi Valley now awaits its future as the NCAA Tournament Selection will take place on Monday, November 10.
Friday’s Recaps and Statistics
Game #5: Mississippi Valley State d. Grambling State 2-0 (final stats)
Mississippi Valley State advanced to the championship match as they defeated Grambling State 2-0 in the opening semifinal on Friday, November 6.
The Devilettes – using constant offensive pressure – were able to score late in the first half and play tough in the second half.
MVSU got on the scoreboard in the 43rd minute when Kate Johnston was streaking down the middle of the zone and took a pass from Mikeal Mendez – who was working on wide on the left side of the field. Less than 60 seconds later, Jency Jose scored when the GSU keeper found herself out of position on an Apolonia Kukla attack.
Game #6: Jackson State d. Alabama A&M 2-0 (final stats)
Jackson State got two goals from Shadien Mars in a highly-contested match. Mars scored in the 10th and 31st minutes – the first coming on a 1-on-1 attack from the right side of the field.
Jackson State goalkeeper Allison Lane had six saves in the contest.
Thursday’s quarterfinal action
Game #1: Mississippi Valley State d. Texas Southern 5-0 (final stats)
The Devilettes of Mississippi Valley State moved on to round two as they defeated Texas Southern 5-0 in the opening match of the 2008 SWAC Women’s Soccer Tournament.
MVSU controlled the ball for most of the contest as they kept the Lady Tigers on defense.
MVSU scored first as Kate Johnston took an Alecia Taw pass and scored in the fourth minute of action.The Devilettes added three more goals over the next 22 minutes to build their lead prior to halftime. In the second half, the action became more physical and challenging, but no team could muster any offense. MVSU would score on a Kate Johnston penalty kick.
Mississippi Valley State moves on to face Grambling State.
Game #2: Alabama A&M d. Univ. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2-1 (final stats)
Alabama A&M advanced to the second round as they topped the Lady Lions of University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2-1 Thursday afternoon at Devilette Field.
UAPB got on the board in the first half as Jade West scored unassisted in the 29th minute of play. The Lady Lions continue on the offensive attack, but only held a 1-0 lead at intermission.
The second half saw the Bulldogs tie the score in the 61st minute of play when Celeste Roberts slipped the ball past the UAPB keeper to tie the match at 1-1.
Alabama A&M earned the win when Belinda Kanda scored on a breakaway 1-on-2 attack to give the Bulldogs the win.
Game #3: Grambling State d. Alabama State 2-0 (final stats)
Chelsea Miller scored both goals as Grambling State won 2-0 and advanced to the second round. Miller tallied one goal in the first and one in the second as both teams ended the game playing in a constantly shifting rain.
Game #4: Jackson State d. Prairie View A&M 4-1 (final stats)
While the first three games of the tournament went off without a hitch, it was game four that had more intrigue by attempting to figure out the weather than figuring out a winner.
After two separate rain delays that pushed the start back just under two hours, Jackson State was able to overcome the rain, lightning – and the Lady Panthers – to advance to the second round of the tournament.
Jackson State took the lead early in the contest when Shadein Mars found the back of the net. Prairie View got on the score board when Brenda Castillo scored on a rebound kick.
But it was preseason offensive player of the year Naira Crimiel who stepped up scoring in the 35th, 49th, and 66th minutes to seal the win.
