MONROE, La. --- Playing in the first athletic event on campus this season by any sport the ULM soccer team tallied a 3-1 come from behind victory over Central Arkansas in the 2008 home opener on Sunday afternoon.
“Our team did a great job of maintaining their composure in the face of some very physical play,” ULM head coach Stacy Lamb said. “Central Arkansas was a determined team and came out ready to play. We were sloppy at first and allowed them to go up one, but fought back. I'm proud of the way our girls were able to come back and tie the game then take the lead.”
Employing a forward trap, the Bears slowed the Warhawk offense early by forcing six offsides calls in the opening period. Central Arkansas (0-2) would take a 1-0 lead when Randi Condley intercepted the ball at the midfield stripe and hit a blast into the far upper corner for the first goal of the match at the 5:52 mark.
Problems for the Warhawks would compound in the match's 20th minute. A hard foul of the UCA goalkeeper resulted in a ULM ejection and forced the home team to play with only 10 on the field for the remainder of the game.
It turns out that 10 players were enough as ULM (2-0) rallied back with three consecutive goals.
Freshman Kelly Browne hit on her second goal of the season in the 32nd minute after a shot by fellow freshman Emily LyBarger bounced off the underside of the crossbar. LyBarger was credited with the assist on the play, her second of the campaign.
Less than two minutes later, sophomore Amy Porch connected on the first goal of her career ? the eventual game winner. Porch took a pass from senior Rachel Hobson, knifed through the defense, and beat backup UCA keeper Heather Joye for the score.
Less than 20 minutes out of the half, Hobson once again found an open teammate for the game's final score. The Longmont, Colo., native served the ball into the box to senior teammate Jeana Chesnik who shook off a pair of defenders and beat the keeper from seven yards out.
For Hobson, the game against Central Arkansas signified a pair of career milestones. Just by taking the field she tied a school record for consecutive starts at 62. Her second assist of the match gave her 13 for her career and tied the 2008 team captain with Chelsea Shriner for most in program history.
The physical play continued through the end with a more fouls being called in the second half.
“We knew coming in that Central Arkansas was a very tough team and that they played a physical style of soccer,” Lamb said. “Our girls ? and especially Samantha Cashman ? did a great job of just staying focused and playing the game. It could have gotten out of hand, but we kept our composure and were able to finish the game in control.”
Junior goalkeeper Mallory George went the distance between the pipes and finished the game with eight saves. The Centennial, Colo., native moved into sole possession of second place on the career saves list after recording the 264th of her career.
Already off to the best start in program history, the Warhawks again take to the road to start a stretch of five matches away from the ULM Soccer Complex. ULM returns to the field Tuesday night when it takes on in-state foe Centenary in Shreveport, La. at 7 p.m.
Goal History
UCA Randi Condley (1), unassisted, 5:52
ULM Kelly Browne (2), assist Emily LyBarger (2), 31:51
ULM Amy Porch (1), assist Rachel Hobson (2), 33:35
ULM Jeana Chesnik (1), assist Rachel Hobson (3), 64:33
