MONROE, La. – The ULM soccer program saved its best for last in the 2015 season as a goal scored in double overtime by senior Kelley O'Dwyer was decisive as the Warhawks took down rival UL-Lafayette, 3-2 on Wednesday at the ULM Soccer Complex on Pink Day.
Furthermore, ULM (7-12-1, 1-8 SBC) senior Karlea Fehr dished out three assists in the contest to become the program's all-time leader in points with 56. Fehr also ended her career ranking No. 1 in ULM history in shots (266), shots on goal (135) and assists (24).
O'Dwyer's goal over the Ragin' Cajuns (8-9-2, 2-6-1 SBC) came in the 104th minute after a ball was sent into the middle of the box from the left by Fehr. O'Dwyer leaped up and hit a header that nailed the cross bar but she got her own rebound and fired it past the keeper for the game-winner.
It marked the fourth goal of the season for O'Dwyer and the 12th of her career to finish eighth in program history. It was also her fourth career game-winning goal to place fifth in the record books.
“This was a great win over our in-state rival. I am extremely happy for the girls that are leaving our program. It's great for them to leave on such a high note,” said ULM head coach Roberto Mazza. “It's very easy to give in and not play hard when you are 0-8. This team never gave up. I give all the credit to the girls for playing for each other and playing for the love of the game.”
The Warhawks got on the board first on an early strike by junior Mary Ashton Lembo in the fourth minute. It came off a corner kick as Fehr's ball was knocked down by O'Dwyer and rifled in by Lembo from the middle of the box.
The Cajuns responded with two goals in the first half to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission. Ashley Cade floated in a very deep shot that stayed up and tucked right under the cross bar in the 15th minute. UL-L took the lead in the 44th minute after Whitney Taggart scored off a deflection inside the six-yard box.
ULM's equalizer came in the 65th minute off another corner taken by Fehr. Redshirt-junior Antonia Land, who was also playing her final career game as a Warhawk, got a head on it that was blocked. She stayed with the play and kicked in the rebound from the middle of the box.
After an intense first overtime period, the Warhawks set the tone early in the second which eventually led to a goal just three minutes and 12 seconds in.
“A win like this is great because it will carry into next season,” Mazza added.
O'Dwyer and juniors Jenna Pillon and Nancy Kirk tallied three shots apiece to lead ULM.
Junior Whitney Tuckfield and freshman Kelsey Dazalla played all 104 minutes apiece as defenders and were the only two Warhawks to start all 20 games this season. Lembo also played 104 minutes at midfield.
In net, freshman Brooke-Lynn Scroggins, who led the league in saves, picked up the win after making 14 stops. ULL freshman goalkeeper Cosette Morche took the loss after making eight saves.
The Warhawks ended the season 7-6-1 at home. It was their first win over UL-Lafayette in the last six meetings.
