LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The ULM women's soccer team (0-0-1) opened the season with a draw on the road on Thursday (Aug. 13), with the 1-1 score against Little Rock (0-0-1). The Trojans struck early and continued to put pressure on the visitors, but ULM's late offensive burst tied the game.
Early offsides calls against the Trojans prevented a score from a quick offense. Goalkeeper
Jen Handy protected the net with four early saves in the opening 17 minutes.
Anna Roldaan collected a yellow card in the 16
th minute, the first of two coming for ULM. Possession was maintained by Little Rock in the first half as the Warhawks battled for control.
In the 25
th minute, Megan Rogan broke through for Little Rock's lone goal of the contest. With the 1-0 edge, the Trojans worked to extend the lead through multiple shots. With the Warhawk defense and Handy in goal, however, the half concluded and ULM remained down just one.
The Warhawks entered the second half with offensive motivation, an early shot coming from
Stacey Qosja. With possession flipping to the visitors, Little Rock worked to prevent a tie ball.
Ines de Lope Casanova then collected the second yellow card for the Warhawks, proving the fight remained for an equalizer.
Holding the home team to just three shots in the second half, ULM was able to hold on until the 81
st minute, when
Victoria Vinals netted the first goal of the season and her first goal of her career as a true freshman. The Warhawks battled for the game winner in the final 10 minutes, as the Trojans worked to do the same. Ultimately, the contest ended in a draw, Vinals' late goal allowing to tie it up.
After being held to just one shot in the first half, ULM picked up six shots to close the gap to 11-7, in favor of the Trojans. The Warhawks led in saves, Handy snagging five in just the first half. Other than Vinals, two other ULM players recorded shots on target in
Bernadett Stefan and
Angela Moreno. Four Warhawks made their first starts at ULM in Jade Bowé,
Jenni Huttunen,
Sophie Alderman and
Luena Ferreira. Six other players saw their first minutes as Warhawks.
Coming up next, the Warhawks will return for their home opener on Sunday (Aug. 16). ULM will face Alcorn at 1 p.m. at Brown Stadium.
