Ava Coverdale scored her ninth goal of the season, but Southern University netted a late equalizer as Texas Southern University battled to a 1-1 draw Thursday night at Durley Field in soccer action.

The Tigers established an aggressive offensive attack early, forcing Southern goalkeeper Sydney Whitten into two saves during the opening six minutes. Savannah Muldrew registered the first opportunity just 1:02 into the contest before Servane Blouin tested Whitten at the 5:08 mark. Southern answered with consecutive scoring opportunities in the ninth minute, but TSU goalkeeper Alicia Audu turned away attempts by Alba Carcamo-Alvarado and Dayla Henderson to keep the match scoreless.

Texas Southern broke through at the 12:59 mark when Coverdale found the back of the net following a blocked attempt by Muldrew. The goal marked Coverdale's ninth of the season and third in the Tigers' last two matches.

The Tigers maintained their 1-0 advantage through halftime, outshooting Southern 7-6 during the opening 45 minutes.

Texas Southern continued protecting its one-goal lead throughout the second half, but Southern found the equalizer with just over two minutes remaining. Southern turned the intensity up on offense and kept the pressure on the TSU defense and Audu. With time winding down, both teams found themselves in a bottleneck directly in front of the TSU goal but Southern's Brooke Atkins snuck the ball out of the jam past Audu for the at the 87:46 mark, tying the contest at 1-1.

Neither team managed another goal in the closing moments, resulting in a draw.

TSU quickly moved the ball downfield and was in position to make a late shot attempt with a big crosser but the shot attempt sailed right as time would eventually expire. 

Texas Southern finished with an 11-9 advantage in total shots, while Southern held a 5-4 edge in shots on goal. The Jaguars also earned three corner kicks compared to one for the Tigers.

Coverdale and Muldrew led Texas Southern with three shots apiece, while Rayal Henderson added two attempts. Coverdale placed two of her three attempts on target.

Audu played all 90 minutes in goal for the Tigers, recording four saves. Southern's Whitten made three first-half saves before Sidney Wooldridge took over goalkeeping duties in the second half.

TSU heads to Huntsville, Ala. Sunday for a match at Alabama A&M scheduled to start at 1 p.m.