Soccer Wins SWAC Opener 3-2 Over Southern

BATON ROUGE, La. – Ashley Arnes scored a career-best two goals along with Ari Mendez’s second half goal as TSU won its SWAC opener by a 3-2 margin Friday night at Southern University. 

TSU wasted no time in setting the tone with pair of shots early in the first half. In the 16th minute off a corner kick, TSU would jump ahead 1-0 off Arnes’ goal which was assisted by Carissa Reese and Laura Chavez. However, the momentum was short-lived as SU answered with a goal two minutes later for a 1-1 tie. TSU continued to apply pressure offensively with five more shot attempts in the first half as both teams ended the half tied at 1-all. 

TSU came out of the gate with an aggressive mindset offensively as Arnes scored two minutes into the second half off an assist from Mendez for a 2-1 TSU lead. Two minutes later, the TSU lead increased to 3-1 following a Mendez goal.  

Southern would cut the deficit to 3-2 following a goal in the 54th minute. TSU was on its heels the remainder of the half as SU would record 12 shot attempts from that point but goalie Alexis Espino came up big with five saves in the final 31 minutes. TSU had a chance to up its lead late in the second half but missed a penalty kick in the 82nd minute. 

Arnes was on fire offensively with two goals on seven shots while Mendez recorded three shots, one goal and an assist. Espino had seven saves in the goal. 
 
TSU is back in action on Sunday at Jackson State for a 1 p.m. kickoff.