University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
South Alabama
Balestra Scores Two as Cajuns Roll
9/25/2010 2:18:00 AM | Soccer
Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns used two goals from a senior Friday night to kickoff 2010 Sun Belt play with a 2-0 win over South Alabama in Lafayette.
Chelsea Balestra scored after a corner kick in 40th minute to give UL a 1-0 lead at the half, and beat the goalie with a 54th minute strike to give the Cajuns the 2-0 lead that would prove to hold. Kelli Jestes assisted on Balestra's second goal.
The goals marked the second and third of the season for Balestra.
"It feels great to be 1-0 in conference play," said head coach Scot Wieland. "I'm proud of our effort against a good, young South Alabama team."
The Cajuns (6-4-0, 1-0-0) outshot South Alabama 11-5 including 7-1 in the first half. UL posted five shots on goal while the Jags had four.
Balestra led the Cajuns with three shots, all on goal. Brandi Smith had four of South Alabama's shots with three of them coming on goal.
Amanda Moorefield got her third shutout in goal for the Cajuns this season as she stopped all four shots that came her way. The Cajuns as a team posted their fifth shutout of the year, the most by a UL team since 2007.
The Jags (2-7-1, 0-1-0) remained winless outside of Mobile as all seven of their losses have come on the road. The Cajuns move to 4-1 at home in 2010.
UL will look for its first ever 2-0 start in Sun Belt play when they host Troy on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Ragin' Cajuns Track/Soccer Facility.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
