FOLEY, Ala. – The ULM soccer team (12-2-4, 6-0-4 Sun Belt) claimed the clean sheet victory over six-seed Marshall (8-5-4, 4-2-4 Sun Belt) in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Conference Soccer Tournament in Foley, Alabama on Monday (Nov. 3) morning.
Ava Goodman notched her second-consecutive game winner in the 23
rd minute to send the Warhawks to the semifinals.
The defense showed out in the contest, as the Thundering Herd led with 10 shots, four on goal. They also led in corners with five, as the Warhawk defense forced another shutout. ULM captured seven shots, three on target, while drawing four corners. Goalkeeper
Jen Handy also proved she was ready to play, logging four saves and tallying her 12
th career shutout.
Marshall opened the offense strong, as the Herd notched a few early shots on target and setting up saves for ULM's
Jen Handy. While the Thundering Herd led with three shots early, it was Goodman who was able to strike first and reach the back of the net in the 23
rd minute. The goal was her fourth of the season, assisted by
Ines de Lope Casanova for her fifth.
Marshall continued to fight to find the equalizer, knocking a few shots in. Handy held on in goal, collecting more saves to prevent the score from the Herd. ULM also drew a few corners but were unsuccessful in converting for an extended score. Neither team was able to further capitalize, settling the 1-0 score at halftime.
Corner kicks early set up potential goals for ULM, but the Warhawks were unable to convert. Both teams launched shots in the second half, but defensive fight on both ends prevented any scores in the final 45 minutes. The score remained 1-0 as time expired, ULM Soccer advancing to the semis for the first time since 2021.
Margret Edda Bjarnadottir and
Leane Commaret both led the Warhawks with two shots apiece, as Goodman, de Lope Casanova and
Giulia Franco also posted one.
The Warhawks will move ahead to the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Foley, Alabama. The semifinals will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (Nov. 5), as the Warhawks face either (2) Old Dominion or (7) Georgia State.
