In a monsoon, the Lady Jags soccer team was at home for their final season game against Jackson State. The Lady Jaguars soccer team was able to contain Jackson State and prevent them from scoring. The first goal that got Southern on the board was redshirt senior defender Iyanla Bailey-Williams. The next score was a foul made by a Jackson State defender that led to a penalty kick that ricocheted off the crossbar and was made by junior forward Anae Roberts. Senior defender Sheryah Gavel scored the third goal for Southern at 36:14 in the first half.
After the game, Southern soccer head coach Jeremy Fontenot provided insight on the victory against Jackson State, “the win against Jackson State gave them the motivation to go into the tournament.” Fontenot also talked about the Lady Jags defense, “Southern is the best defense in the conference and there were only three goals scored on them this season.”
Senior goalkeeper Sydney Bellamy also had two saves in this game. Bellamy spoke about her career at Southern with 97 career saves, “Very happy with the win at her last home game going into the Swac Tournament, in A.W. Mumford Stadium.”
Anae Roberts explained her mindset by scoring off of a ricochet penalty kick that gave Southern their second score
, “had to stay calm even with the pressure to make the kick.” Roberts also said it was nice to pick up the win going into the SWAC tournament. Grambling and Oregon State graduate transfer Defender/Midfielder, Alyssa Romero spoke on what she will miss being at an HBCU, “she is going to miss the community at HBCUs; going to HBCUs like Grambling and Southern she was able to be herself.”
Southern pounced on the Lady Tigers early on in the first half, taking a commanding 3-0 lead and never looked backed. The Jags’ intense defense would come clean up the rest of the game and pitch a shutout.
Despite the weather, Southern was able to pick up the win to cap off a great season and send the seniors off the right way.
Southern would finish the game with 5 shots taken, including all being on goal. Southern would also finish the game with 9 fouls. The Lady Jaguars in torrential rains found a way to win, improving their overall record to 6-9-2 and conference record to 5-1-2. At that current record, the Lady Jags look to be the #3 seed going into the SWAC Tournament, which is scheduled to be played from Thursday, November 7, 2024, to Sunday, November 7, 2024.
