Box Score MONROE, La. – In a Sun Belt Conference game that could very well determine the Trojans' postseason fate, the UALR soccer team nabbed its first league victory thanks to a late second-half goal by freshman Dakotah Sparrman and another terrific effort in net by goalie Kylie Wilson.
The Trojans (4-10, 1-4 SBC) knocked off ULM (5-10-1, 0-5) by a 1-0 score on the Warhawks home field Sunday afternoon, snapping a seven-game losing streak and grabbing sole possession of eighth place in the conference.
The league's top eight teams out of nine make the conference tournament in early November. UALR and ULM entered the afternoon tied for that eighth-place spot.
UALR got its first victory over the Warhawks since the 2011 season and also recorded its fourth win of the season, doubling its total of two from all of 2012. UALR also matched its total number of Sun Belt victories from last season.
Sparrman's goal came in the 73rd minute off a tangle in front of the net. Senior Adrianna Queen got a foot on the ball, knocking it loose to Sparrman. The freshman poked the ball past ULM goalie Holly Mallinson, giving the Trojans the lead for good.
Wilson made a total of eight saves just two days after setting a new career high with 11 at Louisiana. Wilson picked up a shutout for the second time this season. She didn't have to make a single save after Sparrman's goal, as the Warhawks were held without a shot for the final 18 minutes.
The Warhawks hit the cross bar early in the first half and had an 8-1 advantage in shots after just 14 minutes. The Trojans made a push after that, though, taking six of the contest's next 10 shots as it remained scoreless.
ULM finished the first half with a 15-8 lead in shots and had taken five corner kicks to UALR's one. The home side also ended the game with a 19-14 edge in shots but took the loss regardless.
The Trojans are back home next weekend, taking on Georgia State and Western Kentucky in the team's final home matches of the season.
