ULM Warhawks

MONROE, La. ? The Warhawk soccer team closed the home portion of the 2008 season with a 2-0 loss against Troy at the ULM Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon. The match marked the final home game in the careers of seniors Rachel Hobson, Amanda Strope, Kendall Dawkins, Jeana Chesnik, and Brittany Lee.

“Today would have been a great day to send our seniors out, but we just didn't execute our game plan,” ULM head coach Stacy Lamb said. “In the first half we were on the attack, but too many unforced turnovers didn't allow us to get into a rhythm. We were the aggressor, but it doesn't matter if you don't score.”

ULM (4-12-1, 1-8-1 Sun Belt) controlled the flow of the game in the opening period, but couldn't manage to find the back of the net. The Warhawks couldn't get a score on their five opening-period corner attempts.

Troy (8-9-2, 3-7-0 Sun Belt) was unable to get much offense going in the opening frame either. Against a suffocating defense, the Trojans managed only a pair of largely harmless shots in the first half.

In the second period, the Warhawks were once again on the offensive. Against a compacted defense, ULM found itself on the Trojan half of the field, but would not shoot within the 18. The Warhawks finished the game with 13 total shots, five of which were on frame.

“You have to shoot the ball to score,” Lamb said. “We had our chances, but just didn't take them. At times we played like we were afraid to shoot. Ultimately, we made too many mistakes today and it cost us.”

The Trojans capitalized on the first Warhawk defensive mistake for the game-winning goal. Brooke Smith sent a ball through the ULM backline and Jill Pinder beat ULM keeper Mallory George one-on-one for the score in the 70^th minute.

Troy would add an insurance goal in the 89^th minute when Nicole Targa collected the ball at midfield, raced down the far sideline and scored on a crossing shot to the far post.