MONROE, La. – The ULM soccer team (7-3, 1-0 SBC) continues on the road for conference play, traveling to meet Old Dominion (5-3-1, 0-1 SBC) on Thursday night at 6 p.m. CST in Norfolk, Va. The Warhawks are looking to continue their win streak in the Sun Belt, as they beat their first conference opponent, Troy, 1-0.
SERIES HISTORY –
This the only the second meeting for the Warhawks and the Monarchs, as Old Dominion moved to the Sun Belt in 2022. In the first meeting between the two schools, they tied 1-1 in Monroe. This will be the first meeting in Norfolk in the series.
SCOUTING THE MONARCHS –
Old Dominion is looking to continue bringing success to the program, as they are the reigning Sun Belt Conference tournament champions. They were also preseason favorites to win the conference. The Monarchs took on two Power Four teams, just like ULM, narrowly falling to LSU, 2-1, and getting shutout by No. 6 Auburn, 2-0. They most recently tied Coastal Carolina in their conference opener. The Monarchs look to goalkeeper Emily Bredeck to secure goal, as she was named on the United Soccer Coaches' goalkeeper to watch list. She was also named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week in week two of play. She boasts a 0.74 goals-against average, 16 saves and one shutout.
LAST TIME OUT –
TROY, Ala. – The ULM soccer team claimed a road win Friday night over Troy, their first win in Sun Belt play.
In the 27th minute, Mara Grutkamp shot a laser in the back of the net, taking the lead 1-0 for the Warhawks, 1-0. This was the senior's fourth goal of the season and 16th of her career.
The second half was the shining point for the Warhawk defense, with goalkeeper Jennifer Handy claiming two saves and multiple blocked kicks from defenders maintaining the ULM lead.
The Trojans led in shots and corner kicks, 14-10 and 5-3, respectively. The Warhawks took the lead in shots on goal, 5-4. Grutkamp led ULM in shots with three, with Jensyn Lins in second with two.
SHUTTING OUT THE OPPONENT –
The Warhawk goalkeepers have logged six shutouts on the season, breaking the clean sheet win record and just one away from the program record for shutouts in a season. The top spot is held by the 2005 and 2016 seasons, both having tallied seven shutouts in a season. True freshman Jennifer Handy is also now fifth all-time in season shutouts, tallying four in eight matches. Her 0.87 goals-against average for the season also ranks third all-time. She has also logged 19 saves, with junior Emerson Roberts posting 11 saves in just four appearances.
GRUTKAMP LEADING THE PACK –
Senior Mara Grutkamp continues to rank high in shot accuracy, shots on goal and shots on goal per game. Her .800 shot accuracy ranks first in the NCAA, with 20 shots on goal ranking 23rd and 2.00 per game placing her 32nd.
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.
LOOKING AHEAD –
Next up, ULM soccer will return home for their home conference opener, taking on their in-state foe Ragin' Cajuns on Sunday. Kickoff in Monroe will be at 5 p.m.
