ITTA BENA, Miss.---Thursday evening the Mississippi Valley State University women's soccer team suffered a stinging, 3-1, defeat at the hands of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Junior midfielder Ernestina Abambila, scored the lone goal for the Devilettes, knotting the score at 1 all. The Trojans added two additional goals in the second half, while outshooting the Devilettes 7-0. While the loss gives the program an overall record of 2-6 for the year the main story of the game was the last minute lineup changes.

SWAC Goalie of the Week, Rita Gyasi, sat this contest out in preparation for conference play, giving freshman goalie, Sydney Newport her first collegiate start.

Head Coach Fabio Boateng gave praise to Freshman Goalkeeper Sydney Newport who showed great mental preparation despite the insurmountable pressure.

"As a freshman who received her first start we know now we have two capable keepers for conference play" were Boateng's words as he also spoke on the need for the defenders and midfield to link up more in attacking play.

Freshman defender Shani Jefferson who played a gritty and physical game also stated, "The defense needs to be more aggressive and attack more, while also retaining its shape."

The Devilettes will be back in action on Sunday, September 20 at 2 p.m. The team is scheduled to host the Golden Lions of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.