MONROE, La. – Fielding a team of 21 freshmen, five sophomores, a junior and a senior, the ULM soccer program improved upon its win total from 2012, set records and showed steady improvement during the 2013 campaign.
“This team really came together since the beginning in August. It's going to take some time to develop but there has been a lot of progression. We're really looking forward to the spring to continue developing and understanding the game at a higher level. We want to play a lot quicker while keeping possession of the ball,” said ULM head coach Roberto Mazza.
The Warhawks finished 6-12-1 overall, two wins better than their 4-15 mark from a year ago. ULM also finished with a winning record of 5-3-1 at the ULM Soccer Complex after an 0-7 result in 2012.
ULM earned seven weekly awards from four different student-athletes this season. Freshman Nancy Kirk got it started by winning the program's first-ever College Sports Madness SBC Player of the Week award on Aug. 27 after tying a school record with seven points in a single game in a 9-0 win over Grambling State.
Freshman Jenna Pillon followed by winning Warhawk of the Week, SBC Offensive Player of the Week and CSM SBC Player of the Week on Sept. 10. She did it after scoring four goals in a single weekend against Northwestern State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Pillon became the first ULM soccer student-athlete to ever win a weekly award from the SBC since joining the league in 2006.
Kirk and Pillon tallied the fourth and fifth hat tricks in ULM history and the first duo to do it in the same game against Grambling State. Pillon was named CSM SBC Preseason Freshman of the Year before the season started.
Freshman Allie Dickson became the first ULM soccer student-athlete to earn SBC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 17. She helped anchor the defense in a 0-0 tie against Southeastern La. and then posted three points in the 2-0 win over Southern.
Sophomore Mariah Mitchell earned Warhawk of the Week accolades on Sept. 24 after posting five points in a weekend. She scored a goal against both Central Arkansas and Mississippi Valley State and tallied an assist in the overtime game-winner against the Delta Devilettes.
The final Warhawk of the Week award went to freshman Somer Anderson on Oct. 22 after she scored a game-winner in double overtime. Anderson received a centering ball off a free kick and placed it in the back of the net with 10 seconds remaining to lead ULM to a 2-1 victory over Texas State.
“The weekly awards were definitely exciting for the program and were confidence boosters for the team. The individual awards were obviously really good for the program but everyone contributed to that success. It's really promising moving forward,” Mazza said.
Anderson did it in front of a record crowd of 383 on Karlin Aloisio's Senior Day. It was the second time the Warhawks set an attendance record in 2013 as 356 came for the home opener against Grambling State. ULM won both contests by a combined 11-1 score.
“It was really important to win at home. Getting the community to come out and support our program was an unbelievable feeling. The girls really fed off the fans, especially the Texas State game where we won in double overtime, and it brought a different dynamic to the game. We're really thankful that we have so many great supporters here,” Mazza said.
Sophomore Karlea Fehr continued to leave her mark in the ULM record books after being named to the SBC Preseason All-Conference team and 2012 All-Louisiana First Team. Fehr took 65 shots on the season which puts her third all-time in ULM single-season history. She led the team in that category and also ranked fourth in the conference.
Freshman Mary Ashton Lembo registered five assists on the season which tied her for the second most all-time in ULM single season history. She placed third in the SBC with a 0.45 assist per game average. As a team, the Warhawks finished second in the league with 41 assists (2.16 a/g) and 28th in the country.
13 different student-athletes scored a goal in 2013 and 19 recorded at least a point. The Warhawks started at least six freshmen in every game, and at least eight in 18 of 19 matches.
“The girls really enjoyed each other and we didn't have any off-field problems. I couldn't have asked for anything better than what they showed me. Overall the team chemistry was great and it's going to get even stronger,” Mazza said.
ULM's back line stayed steady throughout the season as freshmen Whitney Tuckfield and Cameron Stoker and junior Cerene Arsenault combined for 52 of 54 starts. Stoker was the only Warhawk to start all 19 games on the season while all three started every conference match.
Freshmen goalkeepers Holly Mallinson and Katherine Werther helped lead the Warhawks to a league-leading 120 saves on the season. The duo combined for four shutouts.
The Warhawks posted a four-game unbeaten streak during non-conference play. It was the longest streak since 2005 when the program won five games in a row. It was also the longest active streak in the Sun Belt Conference.
“The unbeaten streak brought a lot more energy and confidence and the girls came out with a different attitude on the field,” Mazza said. “Overall, there were a lot of great things that happened this season in such little time and we're really looking forward to the things we can accomplish next year.”
