MONROE, La. – The ULM Warhawks (3-5-1) fell to the Rice Owls (2-3-3) on the road, in a 3-0 score. The Owls led with 14 shots to ULM's seven, eight of the 14 landing on target.
An early shot from Sloane Popov and the Rice Owls set up a strong offense that would give Rice their first home victory. While the Warhawks worked to put pressure on the Owl keeper, the home team kept the ball in its possession for the majority of the opening half.
Camille Quarterman earned the first yellow card of the match in the 38
th minute, Rice then picking up a second just four minutes later by Lola Foley. But after opportunities arose, the match remained tied at nil through the first 45 minutes.
26 seconds into the second half, Popov scored the leading goal for the home team, as the Warhawks looked to find the equalizer as opposed to the game winner. Both teams traded shots as the scoring had broken open. A yellow card came for
Stacey Qosja in the 53
rd minute, making it one yellow card to Rice's two.
In the 61
st minute, Popov made it a brace for the day as she notched a second goal. Now down two goals, ULM fought to net one and get on the board. In the 64
th minute, the yellow cards evened out as
Ines de Lope Casanova notched one. Goalkeeper
Jen Handy continued to collect saves so she could prevent the lead extension.
Rice's Jordyn Mariam made it a three-spot for the Owls in the 82
nd minute, making it a 3-0 score with under 10 minutes to play. The Owls continued to push their offense, settling the clean sheet as the Warhawks remain on the hunt for a road victory.
Bernadett Stefan and de Lope Casanova both recorded two shots in the contest, as
Taylor O'Rear and Huttunen notched the lone shots on target for the Warhawks. Handy collected five saves as she allowed three goals.
ULM will host Old Dominion to open conference play on September 18. The Warhawks will kick off against the Monarchs at 7 p.m. in Monroe.
