HOUSTON -- The UAPB Lady Lions' quest for their third Southwestern Athletic Conference soccer title begins on Thursday at Houston Amateur Sports Park. The Lady Lions will face Eastern Division top seed Alabama State at 3 p.m. UAPB is seeking to add to their titles that they claimed in 2009 and 2011 in the tournament which will culminate on Sunday with the 2013 Championship game.
In the other opening round games, East No. 4 seed Alabama A&M kicks off the tournament vs. West regular season champion Southern at 10 a.m. Then, West No. 3 seed faces East No. 2 Jackson State at 12:30 p.m. After the UAPB and Alabama State game, defending champion Mississippi Valley State ends the day against West No. 2 Prairie View at 5:30 p.m.
The semifinals are set for Friday at 3 p.m. and 5:30, with the championship match scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m.
SWAC Soccer Championship Central
This is the first year the SWAC Championship will held at the Houston Amateur Sports Park. The facility consists of six fields, five of which are Bermuda grass and one is turf. In addition to being the premier park in Houston, it has a seventh field which is the training for MLS Houston Dynamo. The facility has hosted major tournaments including: Copa Univision, Futbolito, and Copa Alianza. It is also the home facility for the University of St. Thomas, Houston Women's Soccer Association, Houston Football Association, Houston Athletic Rugby Club, Space City Ultimate Frisbee and the training site for the Houston Aces.
The top eight teams, based on Conference results determined by a point system, qualify for the SWAC Soccer Championship. A team receives two points for each Conference win and one point for a tie. The winner of the championship will earn the SWAC automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Last year, Mississippi Valley State University claimed its third title in school history. The Devilettes have the most tournament titles in the conference. Along with 2012, MVSU won in 2005 and 2008. Only four other schools have won the championhsip title (Alabama A&M (2003, 07), Grambling State (2004, 06), Jackson State (2010) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff).
Admission to the Championship is free to the tournament.
