ALEXANDRIA, La. – Playing in its lone home game away from the ULM Soccer Complex, the soccer program fell 2-0 to UL-Lafayette on Sunday at the Johnny Downs Sports Complex.
The game was moved away from the ULM Soccer Complex to protect the field after heavy rains on Saturday.
“It was a disappointing result, but we really need to keep our heads up. We had some good chances and we need to start capitalizing on them,” said ULM head coach Roberto Mazza. “We have two big home games next weekend and we need to show up and fight.”
Sophomore Karlea Fehr led the Warhawks (5-8-1, 0-3 SBC) offensively with seven shots, including a pair on goal. Freshmen Mary Ashton Lembo and Whitney Tuckfield also fired shots on target, and ULM recorded 14 shots in the game.
Tuckfield and fellow freshman Cameron Stoker played 90 minutes as defensemen.
“I feel pretty comfortable, and even though the results haven't shown it, we are getting more comfortable as a team,” said Tuckfield. “Coach Mazza said we played well, but we just need to fix some of the little things and come back next week really strong.”
In net, freshman Holly Mallinson saved a penalty kick in the second half and registered six saves. On the penalty kick, Mallinson got a finger on a hard shot to the right side which then bounced off the post and away from harm.
The Ragin' Cajuns (5-5-2, 2-1 SBC) scored early on a corner kick taken by Yazmin Montoya in the fifth minute. Claire Ruehle knocked it down in the middle of the box and fed it off to Shelby Isley for the score.
UL-Lafayette added on in the 73rd minute to make it 2-0. Isley drove down the right wing and centered it to Montoya who put a good leg on it.
ULM started nine freshmen for the 10th time in the last 11games. It has started at least eight newcomers in every match this season.
The Warhawks will return to the ULM Soccer Complex next weekend for games against Arkansas State at 3:00 p.m. on Friday and UALR at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
