Box Score LAFAYETTE, La.
- The UALR Trojans
soccer team earned their first victory since defeating Southeastern
Louisiana 2-0 on Sept. 18 and their first Sun Belt victory by
knocking off Louisiana-Lafayette (0-11-1, 0-4) 3-2 on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
UALR (4-7-1, 1-2-1), saw themselves fall behind quickly as
ULL's Brooke Perry scored in the third minute after being served by teammate
Chelsea Balestra.
The Trojans evened up the score in the 19th minute thanks
to an unassisted goal by sophomore Kristen
Semko, her first this season.
The Trojans managed to push ahead early in the 2nd period.
Just 2:17 into the half, Christina
Veasley set up Dana Pearson for
the go-ahead score. It was Veasley's second assist this season, while the goal
for Pearson was her first as a Trojan.
The Ragin' Cajuns would not go away, however. In the 75th
minute, they drew even at 2-2 thanks to a score by Kayla Henrie. Balestra was
credited with her second assist of the day on the play and Cayla Chatman her
first.
After a shot that went wide by sophomore Rachael Maina and another that was
saved by ULL goalie Lauren Berlingo, the Trojans managed the game-winning goal
as Pearson came through in the 80th
minute on a shot from the left side of the box after being set up by Semko and Taylor Gabbert.
In the remaining ten minutes, the Trojans defense fought
off two shot attempts by the Ragin' Cajuns and held on for the 3-2 victory.
For the afternoon, Trojan goalkeeper Jane Picarelli finished with nine saves while Berlingo finished
with 13 for ULL. The Trojans had 23 total shots while the Ragin' Cajuns tallied
17. Leading the way for UALR was Pearson with eight shots (five on goal) and
Veasley with five (three on goal).
UALR will look to make it two-in-a-row next Friday, Oct. 9
as they travel to play at Western Kentucky.
Kickoff at Western Kentucky Soccer Complex is scheduled for 6 p.m.
