MONROE, La. – The ULM soccer team (5-2) took a 1-0 win over North Texas (4-4) at Brown Stadium on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 7) to conclude nonconference play. Giulia Franco scored the opening goal, with Jen Handy and the ULM defense fighting to maintain the score throughout the rest of the match. The win over the Mean Green breaks a four-match losing streak in the series, dating back to 2009, when both teams were conference opponents.
 
The first half came up all Warhawks, as ULM scored in the first 10 minutes yet again to start off the lead. In the seventh minute, Franco scored her second goal of the season, assisted by Margret Edda Bjarnadottir. ULM pushed to extend the lead further, but their attempts were thwarted by an offsides call. The Warhawk defense continued to prevent a score from the opponent, closing the first half with a 1-0 lead.
 
The Mean Green pushed offensively in the second half, trying to make something happen to tie the score. Handy held on with two saves in the half to prevent the tying score, with the ULM defense also keeping North Texas back. Franco continued to lead the offense with multiple shots, with no additional score. 
 
A yellow card for each team added to the gritty final 10 minutes of the contest. The Warhawks traded shots with the Mean Green, neither team able to hit the back of the net in the second half to clinch the 1-0 win for ULM. 
 
Franco led the team with four shots on the day, three on target. Skylar Blaise was not far behind with two shots, one on goal. Handy also recorded four saves in her ninth career shutout win. ULM led the Mean Green in shots and corner kicks, still leading in corner kicks in each of their seven matches this season.
 
ULM Soccer will open Sun Belt play at Brown Stadium on September 13 against Texas State. The Warhawks will kick off against the Bobcats at 7 p.m.