HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ^__ Alabama A&M overcame injuries and adversity to post the program's best record in over a decade at 9-9-1.
 
The Alabama A&M women's soccer team has finished up another exciting season, where they found themselves with the most wins by the program since 2007, and the best season under Head Coach Emanuel Stephens.
 
The Lady Bulldogs record broke a twelve-year run of losing records for the Bulldogs. It was the program's best season since going 10-7-3 in 2007.

The 2019 team defeated two schools out of conference (North Alabama and UAH), while also beating Southwestern Athletic Conference foe Howard for the first time and finishing as the 4th seed in the conference.
 
"It was an exceptional season with great accomplishments on and off the field. With that, we are, of course, always looking to accomplish more year in and year out," said head coach Emanuel Stephens. "We continuously talk about the areas that we need to improve on to become a top-notch program. We will continue to focus on those areas to raise the bar and the standard."
 
Over the season, the Bulldogs were led by a mix of veterans and newcomers, including senior midfielder Iris Torres and freshman forward D'Essence Burnett, who were both second-team All-SWAC selections. Torres finished the year with five goals and an assist, including a game-winner against Grambling while playing just over 1,500 minutes in her final season. Burnett also finished the year with five goals and recorded two assists, including a game-winner against rival Alabama State, and accounting for 1,427 minutes on the year.
 
Stephens on Senior Class:
 
"We are forever thankful for this senior class," Stephens explained. "When you spend three years with this group, they become family and will always be a part of us. Camille Nurse and Iris Torres have sacrificed for the team, and the program on and off the field; they have continuously raised the bar and has set this program's standards higher. They will be missed very much, but will always be a part of our family. They will always be Bulldogs."
 
Other Notes
 

• The Lady Bulldogs scored 28 goals on the season (1.39 per game) on 162 shots (9.0 per game) and 83 shots on goal.
• Freshman Makayla Rushing led the team in goals with six, while also adding two assists. Rushing scored the game-winner in the 2-1 win over North Alabama and played 1,330 minutes during her debut season.
• Three Bulldog student-athletes were tied for second on the team in goals with five, freshmen Jameela Barrett and D'Essence Burnett and senior Iris Torres.
• Junior goalkeeper Jodi Medina finished the year with 83 saves (.692 save percentage) while playing just over 1,550 minutes.
• Coach Emanuel Stephens has improved the team's win total each of his three seasons, with the jump from last year to this year being a four-win difference.

 
Stephens excited about 2020:
 
"We are excited about the future. We will return quality student-athletes while adding depth with a gifted incoming recruiting class," said Stephens. "As always, we will focus on moving the culture and the standard forward to accomplish our 2020 goals."
 
For more information on the A&M women's soccer team, follow the Lady Bulldogs on Twitter (@aamu_soccer) and Instagram (@aamu_soccer). For more on all Bulldogs sports teams, follow the official social media accounts of AAMU Athletics on Twitter (@AAMUBulldogs), Facebook (Facebook.com/aamubulldogs) and Instagram (@AAMUathletics).