PINE BLUFF, Ark. - The Lady Lions soccer team squandered a perfect chance to lock in its place for Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament with a potential four road points over the weekend but managed just one point after a 3-1 loss to Jackson State in Mississippi and then a 2-2 draw in double overtime against Southern University in Baton Rouge.


UAPB 1, Jackson State 3

In the match against the Jackson State Lady Tigers, UAPB gave up an early goal in the sixth minute of action and then allowed another goal off a penalty kick in the 20th minute of action.

However, the Lady Lions responded in the same minute with a successful penalty kick of its own when senior Victoria Bresler buried one in the back of the net to bring the score to 2-1 in favor of Jackson State.

In the second half, the Lady Tigers sealed the deal with another goal in the 74th minute of the match.

Senior Karissa Fenwick led all Lady Lions with three shots on goal while sister Cierra Fenwick chipped in with two shots on goal.


UAPB 2, Southern 2 (2 OT)

In the match against Southern, UAPB took a lead in the 28th minute when senior striker Rebecca Holmes scored from the left side to break the nil-nil tie. However, in the second half, the Lady Jaguars answered back with a goal in the 74th minute. The Lady Lions quickly responded with a goal 10 seconds later as Holmes once again found the back of the net to give UAPB a 2-1 lead with just over 15 minutes left in regulation.

However, in the dying moments of the match, Southern responded with the equalizer in the 89th minute to tie things at 2-2 apiece. Both teams were not able to score in overtime as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Goalkeeper Sariah Orocu finished the match with a team-high seven saves in the draw. Both teams finished with 14 shots apiece, and both had nine on frame.

"These kids are immense," said Dr. Flogaites. "Anyone that is a fan of UAPB or UAPB athletics needs to support this team, because what this team is doing with such a small roster is impressive. The effort the team put in today for 110 minutes has me emotional in a good way as I can't be any prouder of them, and they are representing the University in the finest manner. We could have won, probably should have, but it's a hard earned point on the road and we'll take it. The team spirit today was gigantic, and in many respects it was our finest day as a team since the first day of preseason as it was a complete team effort. Any fan of UAPB would have been pleased with the performance today because from a desire and effort standpoint, we gave everything to the match.

UAPB (1-5-2, 1-2-2 SWAC) returns to action on Friday, October 12 as it hosts Texas Southern University in SWAC action. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. at Pumphrey Stadium.