MONROE, La. – Freshman Mara Grutkamp scored twice while Theoni Zerva added another goal as the ULM soccer team collected its first-ever win over defending Sun Belt Conference champion South Alabama, 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Brown Stadium.
 
The win over the SBC-leading Jaguars is ULM's first in 18 attempts in a series that dates back to the start of the Warhawk program in 1999.
 
"I thought we were excellent from start to finish today," ULM head coach Sean Fraser said. "A couple of big moments in the game swung our way, but we earned a couple of really great goals. The atmosphere at the game was great. Our players loved the noise and the support."
 
After a couple of attacks by South Alabama early, ULM struck first in the 17th minute. Freshman Taylor Henry dribble to the right side of the 18-yard box and sent a cross to the front of the net. Grutkamp was there to slide the ball past USA keeper Jaidy Campos into the lower right corner of the net for the 1-0 lead. It was Grutkamp's third goal of the season and Henry's second assist.
 
In the 31st minute, the Jaguars had a chance to equalize on a penalty kick. However, Kate Nicolson's shot was stopped on a diving save by ULM keeper Hailey Hillock. The Warhawks knocked the ensuing corner kick up the field to fend off the threat.
 
ULM doubled the lead moments later. In the 35th minute, Zerva slid a ball into the box that snuck by Campos and into the net for the 2-0 advantage. It was Zerva's seventh goal of the season. The 2-0 lead held to halftime.
 
In the second half, the Warhawks wasted little time adding to the lead. Junior Efi Brame worked into the right side of the 18-yard box and centered a pass to the front of the net, where Grutkamp was able to convert again to push the lead to 3-0 in the 48th minute. Grutkamp has four goals on the season, while Brame has three assists.
 
USA scored its only goal in the 51st minute when Imane Addi converted a penalty kick to cut the gap to 3-1.
 
Hillock and the Warhawk defense fought off several Jaguar threats over the final 39 minutes. USA's Morgan Cross and Gracie Wilson had back-to-back shots on goal in the 71st minute, but Hillock denied both attempts in the Jaguars' biggest opportunity.
 
Hillock made five saves to earn the win, while Campos stopped three shots for South Alabama.
 
ULM attempted 10 shots in the game, putting six on frame. South Alabama collected 12 shots, with six on goal.
 
The Warhawks take on App State at 5 p.m. Friday at Brown Stadium.