The Alabama State University Hornets (4-6) fell to the Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University Panthers (6-2) in a 4-1 loss at the ASU Soccer Complex on Oct 3. 

This loss breaks a 10-game winning streak for the Hornets in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play, dating back to the fall of 2019. 

The Panthers came out of the gate strong, with senior forward Jojo Bernal scoring the first point at the five-minute mark. Junior forward Lesa Griffin gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead courtesy of an assist from midfielder Bety Hernadez-Ortega. The Hornets struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball. 

Hornets’ head coach Jodie Smith was adamant about the team’s struggles saying, “I am disappointed in our play today. We lacked focus in possession of the ball and gave the ball away too easily all afternoon, usually in bad spots on the field.” 

The Panthers took advantage of those mistakes as Prairie View’s Andrea Nugent extended the Panther’s lead to 3-0 at the intermission in the 40th minute. In the second period, the Panthers scored their last point of the game on another score from the junior defender in the 65th-minute. 

The Hornets’ lone score came from freshman defender Jordan Pierce in the 84th minute. This score was not only her first of the season but the first of her collegiate career. 

While ASU was outshot 23-8 in this game, six players recorded a shot. Junior goalkeeper Lauriane Castonguay recorded five goals in the effort. Six of the eight shots taken by the Hornets were on goal as well. 

While Smith was critical of the team after the loss, he did see some positives saying, “We did continue to play hard despite being down and were able to create a few opportunities and finally push one across. We just have to regroup and take advantage of the off week and recharge for the games down the stretch.”

The Hornets will get almost two weeks off to regroup before heading to Louisiana to face off against the Grambling State University Tigers Oct. 15.