WASHINGTON (October 31, 2017) – Coach Brent Leiba and the Howard University Women's Soccer team begin its quest for a third Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament Title Thursday in Prairie View, Texas.
 
HU enters the tourney as the No. 3 seed and will open against rival No. 6 Mississippi Valley State (MVSU). Match time is set for 4 p.m. (ET).
 
TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
 
The 2017 SWAC Women's Soccer Tournament will take place November 2-5 in Prairie View, Texas. This is the second year the event will be held at the facility.
 
The top eight teams, based on conference results determined by a point system, qualify for the SWAC Women's Soccer Tournament. A team receives three points for each conference win and one point for a tie. The winner of the tournament will earn the SWAC automatic qualifier to the NCAA tournament, if eligible.
 
To view the 2017 SWAC Tournament bracket, please Click Here.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEWS
 
On Sept. 29, HU knocked off conference foe MVSU, 2-0, at Sicard Hollow Park. Senior Kela Gray and freshman Aleeya Sawyer each scored in the victory.
 
With Thursday's victory over Mississippi Valley State, Howard would meet either No. 2 Grambling State (GSU) or No. 7 Jackson State (JSU). Match time is slated for 6:30 p.m. (ET).
 
With under 30 seconds left, GSU's Brittany Terry scored the game-winning goal off a long thrown in to down HU, 2-1, back on Sept. 24.
 
Just over two weeks ago (Oct. 15), senior Noelle McCullom delivered the game-winning goal in the second overtime, thanks to an assist from fellow classmate Alexia Moore to down JSU, 2-1.
 
With a win Friday, Howard would advance to Sunday's SWAC Title match where they would face either No. 1 Alabama State (ASU), No. 4 Prairie View A&M (PVAM), No. 5 Texas Southern (TSU) or No. 8 Alcorn State. Championship Sunday is scheduled for noon (ET).
 
On Oct. 6, HU fell on the road at ASU, 4-1, with newcomer Jasmin Miller scoring the Bison's lone goal.
 
In Howard's regular season finale, the Bison tied with PVAM, 1-1, on Senior Day. Gray scored her final goal at the Hilltop.
 
On Oct. 18, the Bison blanked TSU, 2-0, at the Greene Stadium. Defensively, Gabrielle Emilien recorded her third shutout of the season after competing in all 90 minutes while collecting seven saves in the victory.
 
Howard edged out Alcorn State, 1-0, in Birmingham, Ala. back on Oct. 1. Gray broke away and scored the contest's lone goal and propelled HU to victory.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
A NCAA appearance for the Bison awaits if Howard wins the 2017 SWAC Tournament Title. The conference tourney crown will be the third in four seasons for HU and second NCAA appearance in three years. Date, time, and opponent to be determined.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.