TSU Falls On Late Penalty Kick

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A penalty kick in the 76th minute was the difference as Howard won a tightly contested 1-0 match over Texas Southern Friday night.

The first half was evenly played as TSU opened with a shot and corner kick to begin the match. Physicality was the theme of the night as TSU was whistled for five fouls in the first 20-plus minutes compared to four from Howard. HU fired off two shots in the half but the TSU defense countered with a block.

Jada MacLean opened the second stanza with a shot which was saved by Howard. Nearly 30 minutes would go by until the next shot by either team as HU had a pair followed by Alexis Luna’s shot which went wide. In the 76th minute, TSU was whistled for a handball in the box which gave HU a penalty kick attempt. HU scored for the 1-0 lead and held off a late charge by TSU as Kayla Smith, Jackie Zapata and Taylor Stokes recorded shots down the stretch compared to two by Howard.

MacLean led TSU with three shots while goalie Oriana Palacios led TSU with two saves.

TSU is back in action next Friday night at Southern in Baton Rouge, La. The match is slated to start at 7 p.m.