MONROE, La. – Freshmen Nancy Kirk and Haley Rodriguez scored goals to get the ULM soccer program out to a 2-0 lead, but Nicholls State came back with a 3-2 victory in overtime on Friday at the ULM Soccer Complex.
Kirk put ULM (1-3) on the board first with a penalty kick in the 38th minute. Her low shot was perfectly placed into the right corner and did not give the keeper much of a chance. The Warhawks carried the 1-0 lead into halftime.
Rodriguez added on in the 50th minute with a top-shelf shot into the left side. She trapped the loose ball off a deflection, and fired it in from the middle of the box.
“I saw the opportunity and decided to turn and take a shot. I had confidence to score,” said Rodriguez. “We just have to learn from our mistakes and play our hearts out next game.”
Lauren O'Brien got Nicholls State (2-0-1) on the board in the 52nd minute and Renee Bruns knocked in the equalizer in the 61st minute. Spencer Valdespino scored the game winner three minutes into overtime.
In net, Holly Mallinson played all 93 minutes and made eight saves for the Warhawks. She was aided by Cameron Stoker and Abigail Canny who each played the entire game as central backs. Both players also took a shot in the contest.
ULM put seven shots on goal, including a pair from Sun Belt Conference Preseason All-Conference selection Karlea Fehr. Amanda Borstelmann and Allie Dickson also put shots on target.
The Warhawks started nine freshmen in the contest and three more gained experience off the bench.
ULM will look to respond as it closes out the weekend on Sunday with a 1:00 p.m. matchup at McNeese State. The Warhawks will return home on Friday, Sept. 6 at 5:00 p.m. when they host Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
