Louisiana records first win over NSU

NATCHITOCHES - Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns women's soccer team took advantage of its opportunities while Northwestern State didn't.

As a result, the visiting Ragin' Cajuns came away with a 2-1 win over the Demons here Friday afternoon at the Demon Soccer Complex avenging three years worth of frustration and recording their first win in the series between the two schools.

UL improved to 3-2 on the season and avenged a 4-2 loss to NSU last season at Cajun Field. NSU dropped to 1-4 on the season and 0-2 at home.

The Cajuns also improved to 2-0 this season on the opponent's home field with the win. UL has now won their last five matches on the opposing team's home field dating back to last season's 3-1 win at Arkansas-Little Rock on Oct. 13.

After the two teams battled to a scoreless first half tie, Jenny Brown tallied her first goal of the season at 51:33 to put the Cajuns in front 1-0.

After being denied four times in the opening frame the Cajuns were finally able to push a shot past NSU goalkeeper and Lafayette native Nellie Latiolais. In fact, both of UL's second-half shots on goal resulted in goals.

Tiffany Garber scored her team-leading third goal of the season 22 minutes later to give the Cajuns a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Garber hooked a soft liner from the right wing at Latiolais who opted tom allow the shot to bounce in front of her. The ball took an odd hop and slipped through Latiolais' hands, off her arm and rolled into the net for a 2-0 Ragin' Cajun advantage.

Garber's goal would eventually become the match-winning one as the Demon's Stephanie Miller picked up a loose ball and beat UL Anna Brannon at 86:30 to trim the lead to 2-1.

Brannon would hold off two good scoring chances by NSU in the final minutes to help the Cajuns avoid an overtime session and preserve the win.

Brannon, who starred at nearby Acadiana High, was making her first career start at the NCAA Division I level. The freshman goalkeeper made six saves including five in the second half.

Liza Preseault, the Cajuns No. 1 goalkeeper, did not start in goal for the first time in her career ending a streak of 22 matches with a start.


Louisiana will return to action on Sunday, Sept. 14 in a 1 p.m. match against in-state rival UL Monroe at Cajun Field. Sunday's match marks the beginning of a three-match homestand for the Cajuns which runs through the following Sunday.

The Cajuns will also be hosting Youth Soccer Day on Sunday as well. All area youth soccer players will be admitted free of charge provided they are wearing a team uniform.


MATCH SUMMARY
Louisiana at Northwestern State
Date: Sept. 12, 2003
Site: Natchitoches, La. (Demon Soccer Complex)
Att: 133 Time: 1:15

Goals by Period 1 2 Total
UL Lafayette (3-2) 0 2 2
Northwestern State (1-4) 0 1 1

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 51:33 UL Brown, Jenny (Schwindt, Lauren)
2. 73:33 UL Garber, Tiffany (unassisted)
3. 86:30 NSU Miller, Stephanie (unassisted)

Shots: UL 12, NW STATE 22
Shots on Goal: UL Lafayette 6, NW STATE 7
Saves: UL 6 (Brannon), NW STATE 4 (Latiolais)
Fouls: UL 9, NW STATE 12
Corner Kicks: UL 3, NW STATE 3
Yellow Cards: UL 1 (Crawford, 41:59)
Offsides: UL 0, NW STATE 6

Louisiana seeks first home win of the season

LOUISIANA La. - Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns women's soccer team will begin a three-match homestand here Sunday afternoon in a 1 p.m. match against in-state rival UL Monroe at Cajun Field.

Sunday has also been dubbed "Youth Soccer Day." All area youth soccer players will be admitted free provided they are wearing a team uniform.

The Cajuns (3-2) enter Sunday's matinee coming off a 2-1 win over Northwestern State on Friday and will be looking for their first home win of the regular season.

UL will also be seeking to snap a scoreless drought at Cajun Field which currently stands at 266:44. The Cajuns have been shutout in their last two regular-season matches at Cajun Field and have lost three straight dating back to last season's Oct. 18 match against North Texas.

Tiffany Garber leads the Cajuns offense with three goals and six total points. The Lafayette native scored the match-winning goal against NSU - her second match-winner of the season.

UL Monroe brings a 1-3-1 record into Sunday's match and is coming off of a 2-2 draw with Centenary College Friday in Monroe. The Indians have scored just five goals in five matches this season but have scored those five goals in the last two outings.

The Cajuns lead the all-time series 2-0-1. The two teams played to a 3-3 tie last season in Monroe as Julia McVarish registered a hat trick in her first NCAA match helping the Indians rally from a 2-0 deficit.

UL won the only previous meeting in Lafayette taking a 1-0 win at Moore Park in Carencro on Oct. 3, 2001.

Following Sunday's match, the Cajuns will continue their current three-match homestand with a 7 p.m. match against LSU on Friday, Sept. 19.

INJURY UPDATE: UL will be without the services of three players for Sunday's tilt with ULM.

Kristina Klausen, who has missed all five matches this season, is still doubtful for Sunday's match after suffering a knee injury in the Cajuns exhibition match with Mississippi Valley State. The injury has healed and she is awaiting evaluation before returning to the field.

Ashley Delahoussaye will be out for the next 2-3 weeks after aggravating a knee injury suffered her sophomore year in the opening weekend of the season.

Ainsley Breaux will be out for the rest of the season after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in last Sunday's match with Southern Mississippi. Breaux is one of three Cajuns with at least two goals scored.

LOUISIANA SI