LAKE CHARLES, La. – The ULM soccer team was less than three minutes from its first win of the season on Friday (Aug. 31), leading 1-0 going into the final minutes of regulation and eventually falling 2-1 to the McNeese Cowgirls.
 
The Warhawks took the lead for the first time this season, after freshman Maelwenn Gaiffas scored her first collegiate goal in the maroon in gold with 27:34 on the clock.
 
Gaiffas' shot on goal was only one of three for ULM, with Taylor Altieri and Mackenzie Bell taking the other attempts at McNeese' goalkeeping unit.
 
The Cowgirls did not let up on freshman goalkeeper Bre Truscott all night, firing off 36 shots with 17 on the mark. Truscott walked away with a Sun Belt-high 15 saves against McNeese.
 
Despite the high shot count, ULM's defense kept McNeese' shot on goal percentage to the lowest its been through its previous four games, a mere .472 percent.
 
"We were able to keep their chances to the outside of the pitch," Wheelock said. "It limited their ability to make an adequate shot but we have to be more disciplined on set pieces, that's where our opponents are causing the most trouble for us."
 
With less than three minutes remaining in regulation, McNeese' Keely Morrow received a cross ball from teammate Rebecca Adcock that was sent in passed Truscott for the equalizer. Neither team would be able to score again, forcing the game into overtime.
 
With only 34 seconds left in the first overtime period, McNeese managed a pass from the outside in to mid-field, where Rachel Palet sent it soaring into the top left corner of the goal, out of reach of Truscott.
 
The Warhawks are still on the hunt for win number one, and take that challenge to Natchitoches, La. on Sunday (Sept. 2 ) when they face the Lady Demons of Northwestern State at 1 p.m.