Late Goal Spoils Senior Night For Tigers

Three minutes after an emotional game-tying goal by Texas Southern in the second half, Grambling State answered with a goal in the 89^th minute for a 2-1 win Friday night on a windy and chilly evening at Durley Stadium.

Both teams were aggressive in the first half with a total of 13 shots combined, but neither team could put the ball in the back of the net as they were held scoreless at halftime. Texas Southern was in attack mode as they got off nine shots compared to Grambling State’s four.

Jada MacLean attempted to add two more goals to her team lead of three goals in the first half, but missed both of them.  

Grambling State came out in the second half and scored off of an own goal as the ball hit Texas Southern’s Crisely Pavon to give Grambling State a 1-0 lead in the 46′.

With the ball on the GSU side of the field most of the second half, Texas Southern finally broke through in the closing minutes and tied it at 1-1 with a clutch goal in the 86′ after a beautiful rocket from Lemauriel Johnson for her first goal of the season. However, the northern wind became a factor in the closing minutes as it kept the ball on Grambling’s side. Three minutes after the emotional goal, Grambling State’s Kailey Pena kicked in the game winner in the 89′ for the final outcome.

Texas Southern falls to 5-9-1 overall and 4-3-1 in the SWAC standings.

After the game, TSU honored eight seniors who’re playing their final season for the Tigers. Jasmine Vereen, Cassie Sandoval, Begona Rodriguez Bravo, Raina Kablawi, Kayla Smith, Maddy Phillips, Christina Vital and Bailey Blalock were sent off in fashion.

Texas Southern plays its final home game of the season on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Arkansas-Pine Bluff before heading out to Prairie View on Nov. 1 for its regular season finale.