MONROE, La. – Despite out-shooting Georgia Southern 12-10 and holding a big 9-2 edge in corner kicks, the ULM soccer program fell 3-1 in the Sun Belt Conference opener on Friday at the ULM Soccer Complex.
The Warhawks (6-4-1, 0-1 SBC) scored in the 34th minute on a penalty kick by redshirt-sophomore Antonia Land. It was her third goal of the season as she fired a bullet into the right side.
Land's goal tied the game 1-1 after Georgia Southern's (6-2-1, 1-0 SBC) Jennifer Wittick scored in the 20th minute. The Eagles scored a pair of second half goals from Melinda Lukas and Stephanie Gratto to take the result.
“We had a very solid performance today,” said ULM head coach Roberto Mazza. “We had better opportunities to score but I give Georgia Southern credit because it was able to finish on its chances.”
Land was one of five ULM student-athletes to play the full 90 minutes in addition to senior Cerene Arsenault and sophomores Katherine Werther, Whitney Tuckfield and Mary Ashton Lembo. Werther (5-1) dropped her first decision of the year despite making four saves.
Katie Merson (6-2-1) picked up the win for the Eagles in net in the school's first-ever SBC soccer game. She made four saves. The game also marked the first-ever contest between the two programs.
The Warhawks will close out the weekend on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. when they host Georgia State at the ULM Soccer Complex.
Follow the ULM soccer program on twitter, @ULM_Soccer, for live in-game updates. Support the Warhawks through participating in the Athletic Foundation, you can join the ULMAF by calling 318-342-5415.
