The 2024 SWAC Women’s Soccer Tournament is set to begin on Thursday, November 7, at the PVAMU Soccer Complex in Prairie View, Texas. With top teams from across the Southwestern Athletic Conference battling for supremacy, the tournament promises to deliver exciting, high-stakes action. The event kicks off at 10:00 AM CST and runs through the weekend, with the championship match scheduled for Sunday, November 10.
Tournament Schedule:
Thursday, November 7:
Match 1: No. 1 Texas Southern vs. No. 8 Prairie View A&M – 10:00 AM
Match 2: No. 4 Alabama A&M vs. No. 5 Jackson State – 1:00 PM
Match 3: No. 2 Grambling State vs. No. 7 Mississippi Valley State – 4:00 PM
Match 4: No. 3 Southern vs. No. 6 Alabama State – 7:00 PM
Friday, November 8:
Match 5: Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2 – 3:00 PM
Match 6: Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4 – 6:00 PM
Sunday, November 10:
Match 7: Championship Match – 1:00 PM
Tournament Preview:
Texas Southern enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed, after a strong regular season, including a decisive 4-1 win over Prairie View A&M. Isabella Dillow (Texas Southern) was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year for her stellar season, scoring multiple goals and contributing to the Tigers' attacking success. Alongside her, Alyssa Taylor (Texas Southern), who earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, has been a key defensive presence for the Tigers, helping them control the game from the back.
Jackson State and Alabama A&M will face off in the second match of the day. Their regular-season encounter ended in a 0-0 draw, setting up an exciting rematch. Jasmine Perez-Acosta (Alabama A&M), named Midfielder of the Year, will be central to her team’s success in the midfield, while Jackson State’s Kendyl Terrell, another standout offensive player, will look to lead her side to victory.
In Match 3, Grambling State (No. 2 seed) will take on Mississippi Valley State (No. 7 seed). Grambling State’s solid defensive and offensive balance, led by Aria Whitney (Grambling State), the 2024 Midfielder of the Year, will be tested against a resilient Mississippi Valley side. Grambling State has had a strong regular season, including a 2-0 win over Mississippi Valley State, which positions them as the favorites heading into the match.
Southern, ranked No. 3, will square off against Alabama State (No. 6) in the final match of Thursday’s slate. Southern’s goalkeeper, Sydney Bellamy, was named Goalkeeper of the Year after a remarkable season, including 76 saves and significant contributions in their 5-1-3 regular season. Bellamy will be a key player for Southern in this match, as they aim to build on their solid defensive foundation.
Postseason Awards:
In addition to the tournament matches, the postseason awards were announced on November 6, 2024, recognizing the standout players of the season. Isabella Dillow (Texas Southern) and Giftee Tor (Southern) were named Co-Offensive Players of the Year, showcasing their incredible offensive talent. Alyssa Taylor (Texas Southern) earned Defensive Player of the Year honors for her exceptional play on defense, while Jasmine Perez-Acosta (Alabama A&M) was recognized as Midfielder of the Year for her dominant play in the center of the field. Sydney Bellamy (Southern) earned Goalkeeper of the Year honors for her outstanding performances between the posts, helping Southern to a strong regular-season record.
The full list of the 2024 All-SWAC selections includes some of the top talents in the league:
Offensive Player of the Year: Kendyl Terrell, Jackson State
Defensive Player of the Year: Alyssa Taylor, Texas Southern
Midfielder of the Year: Jasmine Perez-Acosta, Alabama A&M
Goalkeeper of the Year: Sydney Bellamy, Southern
Other notable players include Aria Whitney (Grambling State) and Victoria Mealing (Alabama A&M), who were both named to the First Team, and Jailyn Ward (Alcorn State), a standout defender, among other top performers.
Looking Ahead:
As the SWAC Women’s Soccer Tournament begins, all eyes will be on these star players and their teams as they compete for the conference championship. With an array of talented individuals, including the league’s top offensive players like Dillow and Terrell, and a host of defensive standouts like Taylor and Bellamy, the competition promises to be fierce. H-Town Pulse will be there to cover every thrilling moment as these athletes strive for postseason glory.
