Box Score Despite scoring in the second minute of the match, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Lady Lions fell 2-1 to Howard University in its conference opener in a rematch of last year's Southwestern Athletic Conference semi-final match when UAPB upset the undefeated Lady Bison to advance to the SWAC championship game.

The first half proved to be a thriller as fans were honored to see a total of three goals. Less than two minutes into the match, junior forward Rebecca Holmes received a beautiful cross from teammate Tori Spigner off of a free kick and headed the ball over Lady Bison goalkeeper Gabrielle Emilien for the first goal of the game.

However, in the 12th minute of the contest, Howard quickly responded with a goal of its own as senior forward Kela Gray barely beat out UAPB goalkeeper Sariah Orocu in a footrace to the ball that slowly trickled just inside the penalty box. 21 minutes later, Lady Bison (2-6, 1-0 SWAC) forward Elexa Pierson scored the game-winner.

In the second half, the Lady Lions soccer team (0-7, 0-1 SWAC) had a handful of chances to tie the match but came up unsuccessful. Orocu finished with a game-high four saves while Holmes scored the lone goal for UAPB, who fall to 0-1 in conference play.

First year head coach Marcus Hoover expressed his thoughts following the close contest.

"It was a very hard fought game from the opening whistle to the closing one," said Hoover. "The first goal was about a minute in, and our ladies were fighting for more goals up until the last second, literally until the final whistle. Both teams played hard and both teams played well. This one ended up coming down to the team that capitalized on mistakes today, and it turned out to be them because they got one more than us, but still a very hard fought match," said Hoover.

The Lady Lions will host Southern University (0-5) in conference play on Friday, September 29 at 3:00 p.m. at Pumphrey Stadium in Pine Bluff.