MONROE, La. – The ULM soccer program faced two separate deficits in the second half, but came back for the equalizer both times for a 2-2 result after two overtime periods against Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday at the ULM Soccer Complex.
“This was a tough Sunday game against a very good team. We showed today how resilient we are – we never stopped battling. We had to come from behind twice and had chances to win in regulation,” said ULM head coach Roberto Mazza. “We played very hard to earn this result.”
The Warhawks (3-3-1) trailed 1-0 at half when senior Mariah Mitchell drove a ball in from the center of the box in the 58th minute. The play started with junior Mary Ashton Lembo feeding junior Whitney Tuckfield down the right side. Tuckfield perfectly placed a ball at Mitchell's feet for the setup.
Mitchell scored her team-high third goal of the season and ninth of her career. It was the second assist for both Lembo and Tuckfield on the year.
SLU (4-1-1) came charging back and slotted in the go-ahead goal in the 66th minute. Marisa Rodrigues passed to Sofia Olsson just outside the penalty box and her low shot found the right side of the net.
In the 78th minute, the Warhawks earned a corner kick where Lembo hooked one over the keeper's head and into the far top corner to knot it up again. It was Lembo's second goal of the season and third of her career.
Both teams registered 11 shots on goal in the game and ULM held a slight 8-7 edge in corner kicks. Freshman Maia Mumford and senior Karlea Fehr recorded five shots apiece.
Lembo was the only Warhawk to play all 110 minutes on the field. She continued her streak of starting every game this season along with Tuckfield, junior Jenna Pillon and freshman Kelsey Dazalla.
“Maia Mumford made her first career start and was our spark plug today. She brings a lot of energy and it rubs off on other players,” said Mazza. “We had five play over 100 minutes.”
In net, freshman Julia Idalis Gonzalez (2-1-1) for ULM and Hope Sabadash (4-1-1) for SLU made nine saves each.
ULM increased its unbeaten streak at home to four games, including three wins. The Lions came into the contest winning all four of its games against unranked teams. Their only blemish was a 3-0 loss to No. 1 Florida State.
“Starting from the keeper to the front line, this weekend has been very positive for our team. I am very proud with how the team has performed under the pressure of being down and getting a result in both games,” said Mazza. “We are really starting to grow and raise our level of play. This team will never stop working.”
SLU's first goal of the game was also scored by Olsson. She tapped in a cross from the right from Gisenia Utreras.
Up next. The Warhawks will hit the road when they travel to Nacogdoches, Texas to play Stephen F. Austin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. ULM will return home next Sunday to play Grambling State at 1:00 p.m. at the ULM Soccer Complex.
