Box Score LITTLE ROCK – The UALR soccer team challenged offensively for much of Friday night's contest and goalie Kylie Wilson had a career-high seven saves, but Louisiana Tech pulled away late for a 2-0 victory at the Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex.
The visiting Lady Techsters scored in the 75th minute and put the game away with an insurance goal in the 87th.
The Trojans (3-4) put four shots on goal in the game, including two near-goals in the first half.
“It's a great game for us to have,” UALR coach Adrian Blewitt said. “We know where we are with our program. Sixty minutes of playing well isn't going to win you a game against good competition. It's something once again we learn from.”
Alyson Rohane and Dakotah Sparrman had the best chances for UALR in the initial 45 minutes. Rohane had a bouncing ball come to her while she was standing inside the six-yard box, but her shot did not have enough behind it and Caitlin Updyke made the save on the slow shot for Louisiana Tech.
In the 44th minute, Sparrman nearly broke the scoreless tie when Ariel Galletti fed her the ball near the goal on the right side. But Updyke was there again, diving to knock the ball away just after it left Sparrman's feet.
Wilson saved all four shots she faced in the opening frame, doubling her previous season high in the first 45 minutes alone.
In the second half, the Trojans continued to attack with Sparrman again nearly breaking through two defenders. But her chance saw her unable to get a clean shot on goal.
Galletti also had an opportunity in the early stages of the second half, sprinting up the field with three defenders chasing. Her shot from distance curved just wide, and the 0-0 score was maintained.
“I thought for 60 minutes we played quite well tonight,” Blewitt said. “We passed the ball around really well.”
Louisiana Tech broke the tie in the 75th minute when a long ball was played up to Hannah Dauzat. She settled the ball at her feet, cut around a UALR defender and fired past Wilson. Thirteen minutes later, Kailee Hervey ended the hopes of a Trojans comeback with a strong individual effort on the right side, out-running the UALR defense and beating Wilson to the far post.
“In the second half we were very inconsistent in our play,” Blewitt said. “We weren't creative enough up front. We didn't really beat anybody.”
The Trojans are home again in one week when they take on UAB at 5 p.m.
