The #1 Jackson State Tigers defeated the #4 Alabama A&M Bulldogs 2-0 at the Jackson State Soccer Complex before a crowd of 150 on November 7, 2025, with Ryanne Hawthorn-Harper scoring both goals in a dominant performance.
Jackson State controlled the early stages, with both teams feeling each other out in the early going. The Tigers began to assert their dominance in the 3rd minute when Caylah Williams delivered a precise through ball to Hawthorn-Harper, who finished with a low shot to the far post. The Bulldogs struggled to respond, with their best chance coming in the 15th minute when a shot from outside the box sailed wide of the goal. Jackson State's goalkeeper, Morgan Thompson made several saves to preserve the shutout, including a diving stop in the 20th minute to deny Alabama A&M's Nia Jenkins. As the half drew to a close, the Tigers continued to press, with Malayah Nuestro and Samantha Erbach causing problems for the Bulldogs' defense.
The second half saw Jackson State continue to dominate possession, with 19 shot attempts to Alabama A&M's 7. Hawthorn-Harper scored her second goal in the 88th minute on a rebound after Thompson's initial save on a Nuestro shot. Alabama A&M's efforts were hindered by three yellow cards, which limited their ability to mount a sustained attack. Despite their best efforts, the Bulldogs were unable to create a clear-cut chance, with Journee Jackson recording their only shot on goal in the 75th minute.
Jackson State's 13 shots on goal reflected their dominance, while Alabama A&M's 11 saves by goalkeeper Jasmine Brown highlighted their defensive efforts. The Tigers' victory marked their fifth consecutive win, extending their unbeaten streak to 10 games. Hawthorn-Harper's two goals took her season total to 10, making her one of the top scorers in the league. The win also maintained Jackson State's #1 ranking, while Alabama A&M dropped to #5. Nuestro's assist on the second goal was her seventh of the season, demonstrating her creative threat.
The win sets up Jackson State for a challenging matchup against #2 Southern Cal next week, while Alabama A&M will look to regroup against #8 Texas A&M. For the Tigers, the victory demonstrated their defensive solidity, with Thompson making a crucial save in the 20th minute and the backline marshaling the threat from Journee Jackson and Nia Jenkins. Erbach and Williams continued to provide width and creativity in attack, while Hawthorn-Harper's accurate finishing proved decisive.
The victory also highlighted the depth of Jackson State's squad, with players like Nuestro and Erbach making significant contributions. For Alabama A&M, the loss was a disappointment, but they will look to bounce back with a strong performance against Texas A&M. The Bulldogs will need to improve their finishing if they are to challenge the top teams in the league.