Alcorn State’s first appearance in the Southwestern Athletic Conference women’s soccer championship ended with a 1-0 loss to top-seeded Jackson State on Sunday in Prairie View, Texas.
The Lady Braves finished 9-5-5 after a record-setting season that included nine victories and an unbeaten 4-0-4 mark in conference regular-season play. Alcorn outshot Jackson State 16-8, but the Tigers held on after taking the lead early in the second half.
Jackson State scored at 51:34 when Portillo finished a play assisted by Farmer. The Tigers then played the final 21 minutes with 10 players after Mia Ortega received a red card at 69:03.
Alcorn pressed for an equalizer, particularly in the final five minutes. Jackson State goalkeeper Taylor Osborn stopped shots by Annick Zouma at 85:17 and Grace Ambrose 35 seconds later, then denied Viviana Sanchez at 88:27.
Zouma led Alcorn with five shots, including two on goal. Larissa Joso Luma had three shots, and Sophia Bobie added two. The Lady Braves finished with five shots on goal and a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Renata Da Rosa made two saves in 83:36 in goal for Alcorn before Bailey Perales entered and recorded one save. Osborn finished with five saves for Jackson State.
Alcorn’s season included its first trip to the SWAC title match and a school-record 17-0 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Coach Ken Kabiru was named SWAC Coach of the Year. Ambrose, Zouma and Bridget Ayiwaa Sakyi earned All-SWAC First Team honors, while Bobie, Luma and Ainara Aldeano were selected to the second team.
