MONROE, La. – The ULM soccer team (5-2-1, 0-0-1 Sun Belt) claimed a draw against Texas State (3-2-3, 0-0-1 Sun Belt) at Brown Stadium on Saturday evening (Sept. 13) to open Sun Belt play.
Leane Commaret tallied her first career goal, while
Jen Handy led the defense in preventing a game winner.
"[This match] shows the girls know they can compete with anybody in this conference," said head coach
Will Roberts. "Texas State is a top team, it's a good point for us."
The Warhawks, in their early bird fashion, was able to get on the offense early in the contest. They notched two shots in the first 15 minutes, with the lone ULM goal coming in the 17
th minute. Assisted by
Margret Edda Bjarnadottir from a corner kick, Commaret posted her first career goal, heading the ball into the bottom left of the net for the 1-0 score.
The Warhawks maintained control of the ball, logging multiple shots as they looked to put the match away. But the Bobcats would not let up. As they continued to push for a tying goal, goalkeeper Handy posted save after save and the defense knocked the ball away countless times for a 1-0 score at the half.
Texas State came in hot in the second half, regaining control of the ball and surpassing the Warhawks in shots, nine to four. Five minutes into the second half, Victoria Meza knocked a corner kick into the net for the equalizer, making it a 1-1 tally.
Both teams kept fighting, but Texas State ultimately held control of the ball in the final 40 minutes of the half. A penalty kick threatened the tie, but a miss and a subsequent save kept the score at 1-1. Three clutch saves for Handy in the second half prevented a game-winning goal, as both teams captured a point in the first match of conference play.
"
Jen Handy came up unbelievably big for us in the end," said Roberts on Handy's six saves, most of which coming in crucial moments. "I'm so proud of her, she did amazingly well."
Giulia Franco led the team with two shots, both on target. Seven other Warhawks posted a shot apiece. The Bobcats claimed 13 shots to ULM's nine, with the Warhawks leading in saves (6). For the first time all season, ULM did not lead in corner kicks, as Texas State picked up five and the Warhawks drew four.
ULM Soccer will remain home to compete against Marshall on Thursday (Sept. 18). The Thundering Herd will face the Warhawks at 7 p.m. at Brown Stadium.
