MONROE, La. – The ULM soccer team (8-8-2, 2-5-2 SBC) returns home for the final match of the regular season, taking on Southern Miss (3-6-5, 2-2-5 SBC). The Warhawks are looking to come back after a loss on the road at South Alabama on Sunday.

SERIES HISTORY –

This is the 11th meeting between the Warhawks and the Golden Eagles, a series dating back 25 years. The first meeting between the teams was Oct. 12, 1999, when Southern Miss shut out ULM 7-0 in Hattiesburg. The most recent meeting was Oct. 22, 2023, when both teams tied for the first time in the series. The last win for the Warhawks in the series was Sept. 22, 2022, when they claimed a 4-1 win in Monroe. 

TIME CHANGE –

Tomorrow's match, originally scheduled for 6 p.m., was rescheduled for 10:30 a.m. due to impending weather heading to Monroe. 

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES –

Southern Miss is currently on a roll with a six-game unbeaten streak, dating back to Oct. 6. The Golden Eagles have claimed wins over Troy and the Ragin' Cajuns and most recently settled for a 2-2 draw at Georgia Southern. Forward Rebeka Vega was named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week following the tie. In 2023, Southern Miss went 6-9-3, falling to Georgia State in the Sun Belt Tournament.

FAMILIAR FACES –

Midfielder Bernadett Stefan, while a consistent starter for the Warhawks, spent two seasons as a Golden Eagle in Hattiesburg, Miss. She made 30 starts in 32 appearances, totaling eight points in two seasons. Stefan scored three goals on 23 shots and two assists, including an assist versus the Warhawks in 2022. The midfielder was also named to the Sun Belt Commissioner's List for the 2022-23 year.

LAST TIME OUT –

MOBILE, Ala. – The ULM soccer team dropped its final road match of the regular season to South Alabama as the Jags scored twice in the final five minutes of the game on Sunday afternoon from The Cage in Mobile, Ala.

After a scoreless first half, the Warhawks struck first when Giulia Franco gained possession in the offensive third of the field and finished with the game's first goal in the 46th minute. South Alabama's Irene Campo scored the equalizer for the Jags just one minute later and erased ULM's lead. Campo again found the back of the net in the 86th minute to give the home team a lead, and Campo kicked in an assist to Monique Gray and the Jags took the win.

The Jags finished the match with one more shot (16) and shot on goal (11) than the Warhawks, while ULM had six corner kick opportunities compared to South Alabama's one. Ashley Washburn led the Warhawks with six shots and aimed three shots on goal. Jennifer Handy made a season-high eight saves in goal.

SENIOR DAY –

Thursday's match is also senior day, in addition to being the final match of the season. Five seniors will be recognized prior to the match, celebrating their final game in Brown Stadium. Midfielder Janne Van Brummelen, forward Skylar Blaise, forward Emelie Kobler, defender Peyton Pipes and midfielder Mara Grutkamp will be honored in the senior day celebration.

POSTSEASON POTENTIAL –

Today's match will determine if the Warhawks will clinch the eighth and final spot in the Sun Belt tournament. A win for the Warhawks in Monroe over Southern Miss and a Georgia Southern loss is the only scenario where ULM competes in the conference tournament. The Sun Belt Tournament for women's soccer will begin on Monday, Nov. 4 and conclude on Saturday, Nov. 9 in Foley, Ala.

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.

SPREADING THE WEALTH –

13 different Warhawks have scored a goal over 17 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 15 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 –

Thursday'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.