Southern Miss Blanks Arkansas State for First Sun Belt Win

Thursday, September 24

Jonesboro, Ark. / A-State Soccer Complex

4 p.m.

Southern Miss

4-3-2, 1-1-0

Arkansas State

2-4-2, 0-2-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Southern Miss.	1	0	1
Arkansas St.	0	0	0

Southern Miss Blanks Arkansas State for First Sun Belt Win

9/24/2026 7:06:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

JONESBORO, Ark. – Southern Miss soccer (4-3-2, 1-1 SBC) picked up its first Sun Belt Conference victory under Coach Danny Owens on Thursday afternoon, shutting out Arkansas State (2-4-2, 0-2 SBC), 1-0, at A-State Soccer Complex. Lorilee Taylor provided the difference with a first-half goal, while the Golden Eagle defense protected the advantage over the final 57 minutes to secure its third clean sheet of the season.

Arkansas State tested Southern Miss early, but the Golden Eagles remained composed and began to find their own opportunities as the half settled in. Maiko Kikuchi and Vail Wartes each put attempts on frame before Taylor began to make her presence felt in the attacking third. Her first look was blocked in the 27th minute, but five minutes later Southern Miss broke through. Zara Werema supplied the service and Taylor finished in the 32nd minute for her second goal of the season and a 1-0 advantage.

Taylor remained at the center of the Golden Eagles' attack throughout the afternoon. She generated another chance before halftime, forced a save in the 61st minute and had a late attempt blocked as Southern Miss continued to make Arkansas State defend while protecting its lead. Taylor finished with a match-high five shots, placing two on goal during her 87 minutes on the field.

The work on the other end proved just as important. Center backs Argentina Estrada and Georgia Gray played all 90 minutes and anchored a defensive group that held firm against repeated pressure from the Red Wolves. Lauren Entremont and Ella Jefcoat also went the distance, and Southern Miss tightened considerably after halftime. Arkansas State produced nine shots and four corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes, but was limited to four shots and did not earn a corner after the break.

That defensive effort was tested late. Arkansas State put an attempt on frame in the 70th minute and pushed again in the closing moments, but Southern Miss kept the clean sheet intact through the final whistle. Logan McGruder finished with eight saves behind the Golden Eagle back line as Southern Miss held the Red Wolves scoreless.

The result also represented a significant turnaround from the programs' previous meeting. Arkansas State came to Hattiesburg on Oct. 12, 2025, and left with a 5-1 victory. Less than a year later, Southern Miss flipped the result on the road, holding the Red Wolves without a goal and earning three conference points in Jonesboro.

Thursday's win also keeps Southern Miss unbeaten all-time at A-State Soccer Complex. The Golden Eagles entered the match with a 1-0-3 road record in the series and improved that mark to 2-0-3 with the victory.

Up Next

Southern Miss returns to Hattiesburg to host Louisiana Tech on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. CT at Marshall Bell Track & Field/Soccer Complex.

For more information and to stay up to date with the Golden Eagles, visit SouthernMiss.com and follow Southern Miss soccer on Twitter (@SouthernMissSOC) and Instagram (@southernmisssoccer).

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