MONROE, La. – The ULM soccer team (8-4-2, 2-1-2) hits the road for a span of Sun Belt matches, first taking on the Texas State Bobcats (7-3-4, 3-0-2) in San Marcos, Texas at 1 p.m. The Warhawks are looking to build off a win over Arkansas State on Thursday.
SERIES HISTORY–
This is the 27th meeting between the Warhawks and the Bobcats, a rivalry dating back to 1999, when Texas State shut out ULM, 2-0. The tides turned last year, however, when ULM claimed a 5-0 win in Monroe. The last time the Warhawks won in San Marcos was in 2021, when they broke a five-game losing streak to beat the Bobcats, 3-1.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS –
Texas State is looking to continue on its nine-game unbeaten streak and undefeated Sun Belt record. Notably, the Bobcats held No. 13 Oklahoma State to a 0-0 draw earlier in the season. Most recently, they claimed a 2-2 draw to Arkansas State and a 2-1 win at Troy. Texas State currently stands second in Sun Belt rankings. Last season, the Bobcats finished with a 9-7-4 record, falling to South Alabama in the second round of the Sun Belt tournament.
LAST TIME OUT –
MONROE, La. – The ULM soccer team took a shutout over the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Thursday evening, 2-0. With two early goals and a strong defense, the Warhawks sailed to another Sun Belt win, their first at home this season.
The Warhawks started hot and didn't let up in the first 45 minutes, striking in the fifth minute of the match. Jensyn Lins scored her third goal of the season, assisted by midfielder Mara Grutkamp. Just 11 minutes later, a foul on the Red Wolves gave Ally Richardson the chance to extend the lead with a penalty kick. This lead continued into the final minutes of the first half.
The second half had the Warhawks getting defensive, as they worked to maintain their 2-0 lead. Goalkeeper Jennifer Handy played a role in that protection, credited with two saves. ULM defenders were able to protect the goal, only three shots coming from Arkansas State in the second half. While ULM maintained 57% possession, they were unable to score in the second half of the match.
ULM led in shots, 6-9 and shots on goal, 6-2. The Red Wolves led in saves with four and corner kicks, 7-3. Skylar Blaise led the team in shots with three, Lins close behind with two in the match.
BRACE YOURSELF –
Skylar Blaise claimed the second brace of her career against James Madison, her first coming against Texas State last season. Three other Warhawks have claimed a brace this season: Mara Grutkamp and Sara Navarro both tallied two goals against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Aug. 15 and Emelie Kobler scored two goals against Nicholls on Aug. 25. Blaise joins an elite group with multiple multi-goal games in their career, two being on the current roster: Grutkamp and Eleonora Franco.
SHUTTING OUT THE OPPONENT –
The Warhawk goalkeepers have logged seven shutouts on the season, placing first in clean sheets on the season, sharing the top spot with the 2005 and 2016 seasons. True freshman Jennifer Handy is also now third all-time in season shutouts, tallying five in 12 matches. Her 1.01 goals-against average for the season also ranks third all-time. She has also logged 31 saves, with junior Emerson Roberts posting 11 saves in just four appearances.
SPREADING THE WEALTH –
13 different Warhawks have scored a goal over the first nine matches of the season and 14 have earned points. In the Aug. 15 season opener vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, seven different ULM players scored a goal. Skylar Blaise leads the pack with 13 points. The lone freshman to factor into points is Beth Strutton, earning two points in her first career goal vs. Grambling State.
FOLLOW THE WARHAWKS –
Sunday's match will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available. Links to live stats and video streams for all matches, when available, can be found at ULMWarhawks.com.
LOOKING AHEAD –
Next up, ULM soccer will remain on the road, traveling east to take on Georgia State on Friday. Kickoff in Atlanta is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST.
