Soccer Earns Hard-Fought Win Over Incarnate Word

Box Score HOUSTON – The Texas Southern soccer team picked up its first win of the year with a hard-fought win 2-1 win over Incarnate Word Sunday afternoon.

It didn’t take long for TSU to score its first goal of the year as Kayla Smith scored five minutes into the contest. The lead would hold to the half but UIW came out more aggressive to start the second half and knotted the contest at 1-all on a goal by Keeley Ayala in the 53rd minute.

Playing in 97 degree heat, TSU overcame the tying goal and moved ahead 2-1 as Mia Marshall scored off a Crisely Pavon assist in the 62nd minute. From there, the Tiger defense was on their heels as UIW recorded 20 shots in the second half but TSU goalie Salma Ghazai was on top of her game with two saves and numerous blocks. The game came down to the end as UIW had two clean looks at the goal in the final minute but the Tiger defense held on to preserve the first win at TSU for first-year head coach Lindsay Vera.

TSU is back in action Friday night at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.