MOBILE, Ala. – The ULM Warhawks took to the road again and fell to South Alabama in a 3-0 conference loss at The Cage.
"We had some players come in and play very well, but we can't afford to take mental breaks," head coach Keyton Wheelock said.
The Jaguars (7-2-2, 2-0-1 Sun Belt) pressed early and often against the Warhawks (3-5-2, 0-2 Sun Belt). South Alabama started the game with a corner kick two minutes in and didn't let off the gas. The Jaguars launched several shots to start the game, four of them coming from Ana Helmert. Rian Kasner moved all around the goal, making three saves during that period.
South Alabama earned another corner kick before ULM made its first attack of the night. Taylor Altieri raced down the field and took a shot, but it was saved. Amanda Castillo created another opportunity for the Warhawks at the 26 minute mark, but the shot went wide left.
"We had moments where we possessed the ball well and built an attack, but didn't capitalize," Wheelock said.
The Jaguars recovered quickly and put themselves in position to score. Gracie Wilson and Olivia Wilkes scored back-to-back headers to give South Alabama a 2-0 lead as the half ended.
"Defensively, we stayed disciplined for 38 minutes," Wheelock said. "We had a two-minute break where we lost focus and South capitalized on it."
Coming out of halftime, South Alabama continued the pressure and fired off four shots in six minutes before Wilson gained her second goal of the night off of an assist by Athanasia Moraitou to give the Jaguars a 3-0 lead.
South Alabama continued the attack before Rahel Zarazion attempted to turn the momentum back in favor of ULM with back-to-back shots, but they were both saved. Valerie Fleijsman also made an attempt to score at the 83 minute mark, but it was wide right.
The Jaguars kept the pressure up all the way to the end and Kileigh Whited took a shot with 15 seconds left. Kasner made her 10th and final save of the night. South Alabama would win the game, 3-0.
"We will break this game down and get ready for Troy on Sunday," Wheelock said.
The Warhawks will remain in Alabama and prepare for a 1 p.m. battle on Sunday against Troy.
Links to live coverage, including live stats, for Sunday's game against Troy can be found on the soccer schedule page at ULMWarhawks.com. Follow along with all things Warhawk Soccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @ULM_Soccer.
