Today in Huntsville, Ala., the Southern University women’s soccer team will play the 2003 Southwestern Athletic Conference champions Alabama A&M University in the Lady Bulldogs Tournament starting at 2 p.m.
“We’re going to go up there to play hard and get some experience for the girls,” said Lady Jaguars’ head coach Rohan Naraine.
Alabama A&M (0-2) and Southern will witness SWAC rival Grambling University match up against the Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas, a Southeastern Conference member.
On Sunday, Southern will take on Arkansas.
The Lady Jag’s inexperience and injuries have resulted in a dismal 0-4-1 record.
After sustaining an injury to her left knee before the beginning of the season, Southern had to replace starting goalie Alexandria Lewis with sophomore Ashley Stevenson.
Other members of the team have either left the team or have left Southern, resulting in an inexperienced squad.
Southern lost the first three games to Prairie View A&M, Southeastern University and Jackson State University. After playing Columbia University twice, the score ended in a tie and another loss for the Lady Jags.
On the bright side Naraine still has the NCAA’s (National Collegiate Athletic Association) leading scorer and 2003 Freshman of the Year Ashley Bouttee.
“She (Bouttee) played well this weekend, scoring two goals,” Naraine said. “She needs to work a little harder, but she is getting back into her groove.”
Stepping up for Southern are middle blockers, senior Hilary Bruno and junior Khalea Fields, who both have scored this season.
“Overall at this point we can honestly be 4-1. But things happen, there are obstacles but you get around them,” Naraine said. “You’re not going to get any better until you play better teams.”
Southern’s next home game is September 17, against Alcorn State University at Clark Park in Baker at 5 p.m.
