RUSTON, La. – The ULM Warhawks (3-9-1, 0-4 Sun Belt) fell to Louisiana Tech (3-7-2, 1-2-1 Sun Belt) in the opening contest of the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown. Despite posting a season-high 24 shots to La. Tech's 11, the Bulldogs recorded eight shots on target to find three scores in the second half.
Early shots came in favor of the home team, majorly from Madison Pensom, who recorded a hat trick for Louisiana Tech. But the Warhawks took control in the first half, recording 13 shots versus the Bulldogs' three. A handful of set pieces placed the Warhawks in good favor as well, as three straight shots put pressure on the home team keeper. It was
Ines de Lope Casanova who broke through after an assist from
Bernadett Stefan, de Lope leading the team in scoring.
With the one-goal lead, multiple yellow cards went towards the Bulldogs as ULM worked to hold onto the lead. Louisiana Tech recorded a total of four yellow cards to ULM's one. While a few more corners gave shot opportunities to the Warhawks, time expired in the first half, the visiting team ahead by a goal.
An opening corner for Louisiana Tech set the tone for a Bulldog-driven second half, as Pensom recorded her first goal just six minutes into the half to tie up the game. After two more yellow cards proved the contest chippy, Pensom struck again in the 58
th minute. Less than a minute later, she knocked in her third as the Bulldogs held the 3-1 lead just 15 minutes into the half. As the shots continued to fly for ULM, the team worked to make a change. First-year
Charli Harris led the team with six shots on the day, de Lope just behind with five in the fight.
With time running out, it was Harris who took matters into her own hands, as
Jenni Huttunen assisted her to cut the deficit with a goal in the 84
th minute. While a handful of shots continued to come for ULM, time expired before the equalizer could as the Bulldogs claimed the 3-2 victory.
Louisiana Tech now holds the 1-0 edge in the 12-sport Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown. The first team to 6.5 points will take the rivalry series for the 2026-27 year.
ULM will return home to Brown Stadium on October 8, facing Georgia State at 7 p.m.
