MONROE, La. – The ULM soccer team (7-4, 1-1 SBC) returns home for its home conference opener against the Ragin' Cajuns (5-2-5, 0-1-1 SBC). The Warhawks are looking to bounce back after their first conference loss to Old Dominion, 1-0, while the Cajuns are also looking to make a comeback after falling to App State at home on Thursday night, 1-0.
PAWS ON THE PITCH –
Sunday's match will be the Paws on the Pitch match, inviting Warhawk fans to bring their dogs to cheer on the soccer team. Fans can pay $15 for the ticket package, receiving a general admission ticket for them and their dog, as well as a dog toy. Students can receive the ticket package for $10 and fans that do not bring their dogs can still purchase their tickets for $5.
SERIES HISTORY –
This is the 24th meeting between the Warhawks and the Ragin' Cajuns, ULL leading in the series with 15 wins. In their most recent win, ULM took the 1-0 win in Lafayette on Sept. 24, 2023. The first meeting between the in-state foes was heartbreaker for the Ragin' Cajuns, as they fell in overtime, 2-3. ULM has not beat ULL in Monroe since Oct. 5, 2017, when it captured a 2-1 win.
SCOUTING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS –
ULL is looking to come back after their first home loss of the season vs. App State on Thursday. The Ragin' Cajuns opened the season strong, capping wins vs. Grambling State and Middle Tennessee, plus ties at Rice and vs. Texas State. In 2023, ULL finished the season 7-9-2, falling in the first round of the Sun Belt Tournament to Texas State, 1-2. Goalkeeper Natalie Mayes currently leads the Sun Belt in shutouts with five.
LAST TIME OUT –
NORFOLK, Va. – The ULM soccer team has taken its first Sun Belt loss of the season, falling to preseason favorites Old Dominion.
The first half was a slow start to the match, Old Dominion credited with four shots and goalkeeper Jennifer Handycapturing two saves. The Warhawks did not post a shot in the first 45 minutes, but remained strong defensively to maintain the tie, 0-0.
The Monarchs continued to pressure Handy, and in the 63rd minute, chaos in front of the goal led to an own-goal by Janne Van Brummelen, placing Old Dominion in the lead, 1-0.
Mara Grutkamp led the team yet again with two shots in the match. Old Dominion led 11-4 in shots, 3-1 in shots on goal. The teams were tied in corner kicks 2-2 and Handy led in saves with three on the match.
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 continue their three-game homestand by taking on the James Madison Dukes on Friday, the Dukes' first trip to Brown Stadium. Kickoff in Monroe will be at 6 p.m.
