HOUSTON, TX --- The Howard women's soccer team improved to 7-1 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play by soundly defeating Texas Southern 3-0 on Sunday afternoon at Durley Field.

Howard (8-8-1, 7-1 SWAC) moved into first place in the league after its fifth shutout in eight SWAC games while handing Texas Southern (4-7-3, 4-1-2 SWAC) its first conference loss of the year. The three-goal advantage was the Lady Bison's largest of the season and puts them on the inside track to the regular season title with two games to go. 

The win also moved the team back to .500 for the first time since a 1-0 victory over Delaware State on October 22, 2013 gave the 2013 team a 6-6-1 record.

Three separate players accounted for Howard's goals in ascending order of season scores. Freshman forward Jordan Bynoe scored the first goal of her career in the 34th minute to put HU on the board; freshman forward Whitney White kicked in her second goal in as many games off an assist from senior midfielder Nia Walcott with seven seconds to go in the first half; and junior forward Nikanya Clark scored her fifth goal of the year in the 67th minute to put the game far out of reach.

One of the most noteworthy stats from the contest was the fact that Howard's defense only allowed three off-goal shots by Texas Southern all game, making for an easy night for senior goalkeeper Kyra Dickinson

Howard will return to action this weekend with eyes on their first SWAC regular season crown. The Lady Bison will complete their league slate with neutral site home games in Vestavia Hills, Alabama against Grambling State (10/24 at 8 p.m. Eastern) and University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff (10/26 at 1 p.m. Eastern).