Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark. ? The UALR Trojans soccer team (7-4, 2-0) extended their winning streak to five games with a 3-0 victory over Troy (5-6, 1-1). Trojan forward Leanne Mihelich scored all three goals in the victory. The win gives UALR their most wins since 1996 when that Trojan team earned eight wins that season.
“It was a good performance all the way around,” said head coach Greg Hess. “I thought some of the execution could have been a little bit better. I think we were better than the score dictated. You can't fault the girls for the effort. We set a goal before the weekend of having five goals, two wins, and two shutouts and that's exactly what we did.”
Both teams started the game slowly, but the tempo quickly changed as UALR took control of the match early. Mihelich scored her first goal in the 19th minute off an assist from Jessica Beaver. That goal tied her with fellow teammate Grace Rich for most on the team. It wouldn't stay tied for very long. In the 26th minute, Alex Rustad found Mihelich on a breakaway and fed her the ball. Mihelich didn't waste any time putting away her second goal.
After halftime, Troy tied to take control of the match but the Trojan defense and midfield held control of the ball for the fifth straight game. In the 73rd minute, Beaver found Mihelich once again, and Mihelich got the hat trick.
All three Trojan goalies saw action in the match. Jane Picarelli picked up her fourth win of the season. Jamie Laughlin saw the most action, recording four saves in her 35 minutes of work. Taylor Hayes finished out the match for UALR.
The convincing victory allowed Coach Hess to put in a majority of his bench. Overall in the match, UALR outshot Troy 17-7, and UALR had 11 shots on goal.
UALR returns to action this weekend as they travel to Cajun country. The Trojans will face Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday Oct. 5 at 7 pm. They will stay in Louisiana to take on ULM Sunday Oct. 7 at 1 pm.
