MONTGOMERY, ALA.  – Looking spry and energetic, the Alabama State Lady Hornets soccer team stunned defending SWAC champion Howard 1-0 in each team's SWAC opener Friday night at the ASU Soccer Complex.

The rejuvenated Lady Hornets (1-7-1, 1-0 SWAC) look the part of a determined team as junior forward Aaliyah Lewis' goal in the 58^thminute proved to be the difference in a match that grew testy through lots of physical play from both sides.

As Lewis charged forward toward the net, the shot attempt bounced off a Howard defender's hands.

Howard goalkeeper Mackenzie Diotte was trying to cheat up on the play.

But instead of holding on, the ball deflected back toward Lewis, who gathered herself and got past Diotte for the winner. 

It was Lewis' 37^th career goal and 11^th career game-winning goal. 

"I thought that I either had to beat this girl or try to get a deflection off of her," Lewis said.

"It actually ended up off of her defender so the first thing that I thought was to look up.  As soon as I saw it, I kind of panicked for a second.  I was like, 'Get it in the goal', but I stayed composed and did everything that I've been taught.  Got on the ground, saw a hole and just placed it."

ASU freshman goalkeeper Gianna Guyot made 10 saves for her first collegiate career shutout against the SWAC's most potent offense thus far this season. 

The Bison (4-5, 0-1 SWAC) had entered the match averaging better than four goals per match. 

Alabama State held a 10-6 shots advantage including 5-3 for shots on goal in the first half, but Howard was able to get more pressure on in the later part of the second half to finish with a 10-8 shots edge in the second half. 

For the match, ASU held an 18-16 shots advantage.  Howard had a 10-8 edge for shots on goal. 

"We haven't played our best soccer," said ASU head women's soccer coach Jodie Smith.

"We just talked about starting 1-0 in conference play and that motivated them.  We, as a team, worked hard in front of her [Guyot] and that kept her energized even though she was under a lot of pressure.  She made the saves that we had to have—especially late—and I'm hoping that gives her lots of confidence moving forward into conference play."
 
The match was physical throughout and became especially heated between the 74^th and 80^th minutes when four red cards were assessed for fighting and another yellow card was given to Smith for arguing no calls on the physical nature of the match.   

For the Lady Hornets, twin sisters Aa. Lewis and Ariela Lewis were both red carded after tie ups with the Bison's I-sis Wilson.  

In the 80^th minute, Howard's Rasheeda Ansari was given a red card for fighting as well. 

The penalties were given for extra pushing and shoving. 

Next, Alabama State will hit to the road to take on Grambling State next Friday. 

                                                                                                        #GOHORNETS#