MONROE, La. – Abril Lucio collected her first goal of the year while
Doro Greulich added her second as the Little Rock Trojans (2-4, 2-2 Sun Belt) took down the ULM Warhawks (0-6, 0-5 Sun Belt) in a 2-0 shutout victory this afternoon.
"Today was a great clean sheet for our defenders, and on the attack we got two goals we deserved," said head coach
Mark Foster following the win. "We created a lot of chances but I would have loved us to get a few more. We've played better this year and lost but I'm glad the girls got what they earned, and I hope they can take confidence from it."
After
Abril Lucio hit the the side woodwork on her first attempt of the day just minutes into the match, it looked as if the crossbar would continue to be Little Rock's nemesis this season. The team has previously been inches away from hitting net in two separate games. However, the junior continued to strike, earning her first goal of the season after chipping the ball over the ULM goalkeeper's head and into the top left corner of the net from about 25 yards out. Lucio got the touch from senior left back
Bergros Asgeirsdottir, who centered the ball after a good build up play in the 16th minute.
In the second half,
Doro Greulich set up for a free kick over 30 yards out in a vaguely similar situation to her first goal of the season during
Little Rock's home win over Texas State. The redshirt senior nailed it directly between the posts and through the goalkeeper's hands, who couldn't handle such a knuckleball from Greulich.
"It wasn't our best performance of the season," Coach Foster added, despite the victory. "We had to play Friday night, travel, then go against a team that hadn't played this week in hot conditions. We had to be professional, do the little things right, and grind out a win. Division I soccer on a Sunday is about being smart, using your team, and getting players to step up. We used 19 players today and I'm delighted with the team effort."
Out of those 19 Trojans that hit the field, five placed on-target shots along with Lucio and Greulich.
Skylar Garner made her first attempt of her young career with a low right aim early in the game. Also in the first half, sophomore
Maddy Peake tried a high left angled shot while inside the right side of the box but was denied by the ULM keeper. Coming out of halftime, junior
Fanney Einarsdottir gave an effort toward the bottom left corner from around 18 yards out but was also stopped.
Little Rock will return home to the Coleman Sports Complex this Thursday for a rematch with in-state Sun Belt foes Arkansas State. Wear pink and join the Trojans at 7:00 p.m. on October 15th as #LittleRocksTeam hosts Breast Cancer Awareness Night.
For the latest information on Little Rock Soccer, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockSOC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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