By John Stevens, ULM Athletic Media Relations student assistant
MONROE, La. – ULM senior midfielder Danielle LaFrance scored an early goal, freshman forward Taylor Altieri netted a second-half goal and junior goalkeeper Brooke-Lynn Scroggins made six saves, as the Warhawks recorded their second Sun Belt win, 2-1, over rival Louisiana Lafayette on Thursday, Oct. 5. ULM has won two of its last three conference matches, scoring five goals during that stretch.
"We're playing our best soccer right now, but we still need to find a way to clean it up," ULM head coach Keyton Wheelock said. "As we've started scoring goals, we're starting to build more confidence."
ULM (2-11-1, 2-4 Sun Belt) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute as LaFrance launched a shot from outside the box – approximately 25 yards out from straightaway – that sailed over the outstretched arm of ULL sophomore goalkeeper Mackenzie Lee and just below the crossbar into the back of the net.
The Ragin' Cajuns (5-6-2, 2-2-2 Sun Belt) threatened to tie the score in the 39th minute, but Scroggins made a brilliant save on a header by senior Whitney Taggart.
Altieri gave the Warhawks a 2-0 lead in the 72nd minute when she took a feed from junior Shekhinah Wells and beat Lee in a one-on-one matchup. It marked Altieri's second goal in the last three matches.
"I knew I had to beat the defender and I saw the goalie was off her line, so I stuck it inside the right post," Altieri said.
The Ragin' Cajuns cut their deficit to 2-1 in the 89th minute, as senior Ashleigh Cade took the ball down the right side and delivered a pass inside the box to senior Haley Boroch, who finished from close range.
Scroggins recorded six saves, with five coming in the second half, including a diving stop. Lee was credited with one save for ULL.
The Ragin' Cajuns out-shot ULM, 20-6 (7-3 on shots on goal).
"We have to be disciplined," Wheelock said. "If we can't be disciplined at the end of a game, we're going to be in trouble at the end of the season."
ULM resumes Sun Belt play with a home match against Texas State on Friday, Oct. 13, with kickoff set for 4 p.m.
