Alabama State gets back on track thanks to Lewis sisters
Ariela Lewis
And that’s exactly what happened.
Alabama State beat defending SWAC champion Howard 1-0 in a NCAA D1 women’s soccer game that saw four red cards in the second half.
Lewis and her twin sister Aaliyah were kicked out of the same game for the first time in their lives.
“The red card, honestly, was shocking,” Ariela told me. “My sister was playing the game and the [Howard] girl I guess was too upset that she couldn’t win the ball and let her emotions get the best of her and decided to take it out on my sister.
“So when her and my sister fell in a tackle the girl turned around and started throwing punches and my sister – like anyone – was defending herself.”
Ariela rushed to the aid of her older sister, who scored the game’s only goal 20 minutes earlier.
“I tried to pull the girl away from Aaliyah in any way possible,” she said.
It seems Alabama State’s fighting spirit is alive and well.
“I’d say this game was definitely a win we needed,” Ariela said, “and I think it was really made us stronger as a team and even more hungry to win the SWAC.”
Aaliyah Lewis
“We controlled the ball in their half the majority of the time, which was a big confidence boost on our attack and made us more energetic,” Ariela said. “We needed to finally get one in the back of the net.”