HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The smallest of plays can turn into the biggest of moments in a soccer match—especially with a championship on the line. 
 
That was the case on Sunday as the Alabama State women's soccer team fought hard and battled back to even the score before losing to Howard 2-1 in the SWAC Championship match at the John Hunt Soccer Complex.
 
Making their second appearance in the past three seasons in the championship, the No. 3 seeded Lady Hornets (9-11-1) were caught off guard in the opening minute on a chip shot that seemingly floated in the air for an eternity and a cross that found enough room to allow a header to score.     
 
"I was proud of our team effort," said Alabama State head coach Jodie Smith.
 
"Not just in the tournament, but for the season.  We had highs and lows and just kept battling through injuries.  Today was probably our 10th or 11th different lineup that we've used throughout the season.  We got behind the eight ball right away, but kept playing hard and equalized there on a great goal by Shelbi [Vienna-Hallam] from a set piece by Shyann [Cordova].  We turned our focus off for a brief second and that was pretty much the difference.  It was a hard fought game back and forth.  Character is never determined by wins and losses.  We defined it by battling adversity all year long."          

Alabama State played inspired for much of the match, spoiling Howard scoring threats with slide tackles and stingy defensive plays. 
 
On offense, the Lewis sisters, Ariela and Aaliyah, both showcased dazzling moves by boxing out, turning and switching their foot on their attacks. 
 
The Lewis sisters had been the key cogs in generating offense for the season with a combined 23 of the team's 49 goals entering the title match.
 
Each had a bunch of near misses on Sunday, but it would be Shelbi Vienna-Hallam to get ASU on the board and knot the score at one.
 
The senior from Australia got the equalizer in the 35^th minute on a header who put it in off a high, lofting set piece from freshman Shyann Cordova. 
 
It was Vienna-Hallam's fifth goal of the season and 12^th of her career in her two seasons at ASU. 
 
ASU was chasing to tie the score nearly from the opening whistle as Howard freshman Anna Mitchell struck just 47 seconds into the match on the chip. 
 
It remained a 1-1 tie into halftime with both teams exchanging looks on goal.
 
Aiyana Canister and Deidra Woodward made some key defensive plays by spoiling Howard's chance inside ASU's 18.
 
Fourth-seeded Howard (14-7-1) kept the pressure up though and nearly took the lead when Whitney White clanged the crossbar in the 56^th minute. 
 
Moments later, it did when Sara Vaughan headed it in on an assist from Dytria Ruddy to put Howard on top 2-1 in the 57^th minute. 

It ended up being the game-winner.
 
Play grew physical as the match wore on with some contact from each team.   
 
But it wasn't nearly as heated in terms of tempers flaring when the teams last met on Sept. 25 and four red cards were issued. 
 
On Sunday, there were no penalties. 
 
Kaedi Walther, Ariela Lewis and Aaliyah Lewis were named to the SWAC All-Tournament. 
 
Of the 16 total tournament goals that were scored, Ar. Lewis scored five of them and finished with a team-leading 13 goals for the season.
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                        #GOHORNETS#