ITTA BENA, MS ---  The Howard women's soccer team currently sits in first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) after the Lady Bison's 3-1 victory over Mississippi Valley State University on Sunday afternoon at the MVSU Athletic Complex.

Seniors Jeseca Hinds & Nia Walcott and sophomore Sara Vaughan each scored a goal for Howard (3-7-1), who finished the weekend tied with Jackson State for the conference lead at 2-0 and sent Mississippi Valley State (0-8) to their eighth straight loss.

Howard took the lead in the 31st minute after Hinds took a misplaced clearance by MVSU and turned it into her first goal of the season.

Mississippi Valley found a way to knot the score at 1-1 with seconds remaining in the half after the Devils' Nykosi Simmons put a shot past senior goalkeeper Kyra Dickinson.

In the second half, Howard proved to be efficient with their opportunities as two of the team's five second half shots resulted in scores. Walcott completed a defense-to-offense clearance in the 54th minute for her team-leading fourth goal the year and a 2-1 lead. Vaughan's goal in the 69th minute in the midst of MVSU pressure provided insurance for the Lady Bison.

Howard will return to action on Friday, October 3 when the Lady Bison host Alabama A&M for their first conference home game. First kick at Howard's off-site home in Vestavia Hills, Alabama is scheduled for 8 p.m. The contest will also be streamed on the SWAC Digital Network (details TBA).