HOUSTON – Theoni Zerva scored the game-winning goal in the seventh minute of overtime off an assist from Mara Grutkamp to give ULM a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Texas Southern in the season opener Thursday, August 19 at Houston Sports Park.
 
"Outside of missing too many great chances, we scored two well-worked goals and showed a little character in coming from behind to win the match," ULM head coach Sean Fraser said.
 
It is ULM's first win in a season opener since a 3-0 win at Northwestern State in 2014. It is only the seventh season-opening win in 23 seasons of Warhawk soccer. Additionally, it is ULM's first overtime win since a 3-2 win in two overtimes vs. the Ragin' Cajuns on Oct. 28, 2015, snapping a 10-match winless streak in overtime matches (0-3-7).
 
Texas Southern struck for the only goal of the first half when Mia Ontiveros scored from 40 yards out for the 1-0 advantage in the 30th minute.
 
"We were way too sluggish in the first 30 minutes and conceded a goal that we shouldn't have," Fraser said. "It took that goal to wake us up. After the goal we stepped up a few levels and played in the manner that we have trained."
 
ULM scored the equalizer in the 68th minute when Ermelinda Pantaleao scored the first goal of her ULM career off a corner kick to level the match at 1.
 
The game went to overtime before Zerva netted her first goal of the season off the assist from Grutkamp for the 2-1 road victory.
 
The Warhawks controlled the match, outshooting Texas Southern 32-6, including a 7-0 edge in overtime. ULM had 11 shots on goal while the Tigers had three. The Warhawks attempted 11 corner kicks while TSU did not receive a corner.
 
"There's lots to keep working on, so I can't wait to get back in the video room and on the training ground," Fraser said.
 
ULM visits Mississippi Valley State at 1 p.m. Sunday.