University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Florida Atlantic
Cajuns Close Out Home Slate with 4-2 Win
10/21/2011 2:33:00 AM | Soccer
The Ragin' Cajuns soccer team picked up a big win Thursday night defeating Florida Atlantic in the final home contest of the season by a final of 4-2 at the Cajuns Soccer/Track Facility.
“I could not be happier for the girls,” said head soccer coach Scot Wieland, “They've been working really hard and have given their heart for so long. I'm just glad that the hard work has finally paid off for them.”
With the win, Amanda Moorefield moves into a tie with Kristen Malen and Stephanie Weston for program record in career victories with 16.
The Cajuns improve to 5-12-1 overall and 1-8 in Sun Belt play. UL had a 14-12 edge in shots while the Owls led the contest in corners 3-2.
In the 11th minute, Kayla Henrie tabbed her fourth goal of the season when her strike from 25 yards out found the back of the net to give the Cajuns a 1-0 lead.
UL extended its advantage to 2-0 in the 22nd minute on Hayden Gibson's first career goal as she collected a pass from Melissa Minton and beat the FAU keeper to the far post.
“A first collegiate goal is a special moment in your career,” Wieland said. “It is something you will never forget. Hayden and Kayla really sparked us off tonight and got us rolling.”
Shebly Isley ran the score to 3-0 in the 32nd minute when Shelby Isley knocked in the rebound from a Grace Howell-Harries shot that caromed off of the post.
FAU would answer when the Owls notched the fourth goal of the half in the 43rd minute on a one-timer by Meagan Borger to make the score 3-1 UL.
In the second half, the Owls cut the Cajuns lead to one goal when Jesse Shugg netted a breakaway goal in the 55th minute.
Florida Atlantic looked as if they might knock in an equalizing goal late in the second half, but the Cajuns back line and Moorefield stepped up and played tough.
Louisiana put the game out of reach in the 84th minute when Megan Riley delivered on a penalty kick after a FAU foul in the box.
Gibson led the Cajuns with a goal, an assist and three points on the evening, while Christa Rostohar had a team-high five shots with four coming on net.
“We just moved Hayden up to forward a couple games ago,” Wieland added. “For a kid who has been playing defense for most of the season, she really showed a lot of heart.”
The Cajuns return to action on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. CT when they face FIU in Miami, Fla.
