Hornets crowned SWAC soccer champions
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BVM) — For the third time in the past five seasons, the Alabama State Hornets are the SWAC women鈥檚 soccer champions. This season, their victim was the Grambling State Tigers, who they beat in penalty kicks to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament in Cary, N.C.聽
The game was expected to be tightly-contested, as the two teams played to a tie in the regular season. The same outcome took place through the 90-minute regulation and extra time of the championship game, but penalty kicks were needed to decide a winner.聽
Grambling State struck first in the PKs, but Alabama State answered to tie things at 1-1. When the Tigers missed their next two, the Hornets capitalized by converting on their ensuing two attempts. Down 3-1, Grambling State needed to make their fourth attempt to extend the penalty kicks but missed wide right, sending Alabama State to the NCAA Tournament.
The Hornets got regulation goals from senior forward Teaggan Ilela and redshirt senior Mercedes Padilla, her first of the season coming at the most opportune time. Another senior, forward McKenna Wiscombe, was named the SWAC Tournament MVP for her totals of three goals and three assists through three games.
Alabama State will find out its first round NCAA Tournament matchup on Selection Monday, April 19.
