Wakil Atig
Sports Editor
The women’s soccer team of Jackson State University has had a triumphant season thus far. After a season full of injuries and close loses on their record, they remained poised and end their regular season on a high note.
The Jackson State University women’s soccer team has been on a mission this season. The ladies shut out their last five opponents and improved as a team on the field.
In their game against Southern University, JSU completely dominated the game and controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish. The Tigers finished with a total of 13 shot with 11 of those shots on goal.
Midway through the first half, junior Ana Leticia Batista nailed a shot to the back of the goal to give the Lady Tigers the lead. Senior, Patricia Calderon was in charge of the assist on that point. Southern never could match the intensity of Jackson State as they failed on numerous attempts to score.
Although Southern made a strong push in the second half, their offense was just too unstable to battle the Lady Tigers. It was clear that conditioning was a huge problem for the Jaguars as they seemed lifeless for most of the game.
The Lady Tigers went on to completely dismantle Southern University 1-0 in route to their sixth straight conference win to end their regular season. The Lady Tigers has held their last six opponents scoreless giving them supreme confidence heading into the SWAC tournament next week.
With this victory the Lady Tigers improve to 7-11 overall and 7-3 in the SWAC conference action. They hold the No. 3 spot in the SWAC tournament as they await their next opponent.
Taronta Gines, a junior accounting major from Moss Point, Miss., is excited that the Lady Tigers have turned their season around and persevered throughout the hard times during the season.
“I have been a soccer fan my entire life and really have a distinct passion for the game. I have watched the soccer team here at Jackson State for the past two years and can honestly say that this is the best they have been. Their team is menatlly tough and has what it takes to go far. I’m so proud of them.”
Samaria Manning, a sophomore biology major from Little Rock, Ark., is proud of the soccer team’s performance throughout the season and is even more excited for what they caan do in the future.
“The team has battled all season and it’s about time that they get the respect that they deserve. I wish them nothing but success in the SWAC tournament because I’m certain that their battle tested and can win. It is really motivating to watch those girls on campus carry each other up the stairs and assisting one another in the cafe due to injuries. I just want them to keep that fighting spirit in the tournament so they can get what they’ve worked for.”
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