LAKE CHARLES, La. – Junior Mara Grutkamp scored twice in the second half off a pair of assists from junior Skylar Blaise as ULM knocked off McNeese, 2-0, in an exhibition match Saturday at Cowgirl Field.
 
Grutkamp struck for the first goal in the 50th minute off of Blaise's assist, and then added another with a helper from Blaise in the 61st minute for the 2-0 margin.
 
A native of Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, Grutkamp enters the 2023 season ranked 10th in program history with 31 career points after scoring 10 goals across her first two seasons. Blaise, a transfer from Lake Tahoe Community College and a native of Mountain View, California, led all junior college players with 27 assists and led the state of California with 23 goals last season.
 
ULM dominated the possession, posting 23 shots to five for McNeese. The Warhawks put 15 shots on frame while the Cowgirls had just two. Grutkamp had six shots, with five on goal, to lead ULM, while senior Lucia Lobato added five shots with two on net. Salma Elhaimer and Kaile Kukaua fired the shots on goal for McNeese.
 
Senior Alexa Castro started in net and played the first half, while junior Mickaela Leal played the second half in goal. Each keeper earned one save. Jackie Kelly made 13 saves for McNeese.
 
ULM officially opens the 2023 season at 7 p.m. Thursday at Tarleton State.