University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Monday, October 30
Foley, Ala.
7:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
7-9-2, 4-6-0
1
vs
2
Texas State
9-6-4, 3-3-4
1
2
F
Louisiana
0
1
1
Texas St.
1
1
2
Gritty Effort Falls Short For Cajuns In SBC Championships, 2-1
10/30/2023 9:38:00 PM | Soccer
FOLEY, Ala. – Olivia Wright scored a first-half goal and Mady Soumare added the eventual game-winner in the 72nd minute as No. 8-seeded Texas State held off a gritty performance by the ninth-seeded Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, earning a 2-1 victory in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Championships on Monday at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex.
Louisiana (7-9-2), making its first appearance in the SBC Championships under coach Chris McBride, nearly posted an epic comeback in the final minutes as Hailly Waterhouse scored her third goal of the season late in the 88th minute before Lauren Bennett's blast in the final minute was hauled in by Texas State goalkeeper Caitlyn Draper.
The Ragin' Cajuns came out firing early in the match as Sisley Stephens and Megan Bradley tested Draper early. Stephens' attempt from approximately 15 yards out in the fourth minute was saved by Draper in the bottom left corner before Bradley's attempt in the 10th was knocked away leading to the first of five corners for Louisiana.
Mariella Stephens' attempt for Louisiana in the 16th minute was collected by Draper, who finished with seven saves, while Sisley Stephen's follow-up attempt was knocked away and resulting in a Ragin' Cajuns corner.
After Sisley Stephens had her attempt in the 28th minute saved by Draper, Texas State (9-6-4) would break the scoreless contest on a ball sent into the Louisiana 18-yard box. A Ragin' Cajuns defender attempted to clear the ball out, but caromed off Wright who scored past Louisiana goalkeeper Natalie Mayes for a 1-0 lead.
The Bobcats, who advanced to face top-seeded South Alabama in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, scored the eventual game-winner late in the 72nd minute after a ball was sent into the 18-yard box. Soumare was able to collect the ball off an attempted clear-out by a Louisiana defender and score from just outside the 6-yard box for a 2-0 lead.
Louisiana, which held a 10-9 advantage in shots with eight attempts on frame, continued its effort and cut the lead to 2-1 after Waterhouse took a feed from Sisley Stephens and scored past Draper.
Bennett, who logged 90 minutes for the 13th time in 2023, had one last chance to knot the match for the Ragin' Cajuns but her left-footed blast from inside the 18-yard box was saved by Draper.
Sisley Stephens led Louisiana with four shots with Bradley placing two on frame. Bailey Giddings, making her second career start for the Ragin' Cajuns, placed a shot frame in the 81st minute for Louisiana.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsSOC), Instagram (@RaginCajunsSOC) and Facebook (Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Soccer) or check RaginCajuns.com for Louisiana soccer updates.
Louisiana (7-9-2), making its first appearance in the SBC Championships under coach Chris McBride, nearly posted an epic comeback in the final minutes as Hailly Waterhouse scored her third goal of the season late in the 88th minute before Lauren Bennett's blast in the final minute was hauled in by Texas State goalkeeper Caitlyn Draper.
The Ragin' Cajuns came out firing early in the match as Sisley Stephens and Megan Bradley tested Draper early. Stephens' attempt from approximately 15 yards out in the fourth minute was saved by Draper in the bottom left corner before Bradley's attempt in the 10th was knocked away leading to the first of five corners for Louisiana.
Mariella Stephens' attempt for Louisiana in the 16th minute was collected by Draper, who finished with seven saves, while Sisley Stephen's follow-up attempt was knocked away and resulting in a Ragin' Cajuns corner.
After Sisley Stephens had her attempt in the 28th minute saved by Draper, Texas State (9-6-4) would break the scoreless contest on a ball sent into the Louisiana 18-yard box. A Ragin' Cajuns defender attempted to clear the ball out, but caromed off Wright who scored past Louisiana goalkeeper Natalie Mayes for a 1-0 lead.
The Bobcats, who advanced to face top-seeded South Alabama in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, scored the eventual game-winner late in the 72nd minute after a ball was sent into the 18-yard box. Soumare was able to collect the ball off an attempted clear-out by a Louisiana defender and score from just outside the 6-yard box for a 2-0 lead.
Louisiana, which held a 10-9 advantage in shots with eight attempts on frame, continued its effort and cut the lead to 2-1 after Waterhouse took a feed from Sisley Stephens and scored past Draper.
Bennett, who logged 90 minutes for the 13th time in 2023, had one last chance to knot the match for the Ragin' Cajuns but her left-footed blast from inside the 18-yard box was saved by Draper.
Sisley Stephens led Louisiana with four shots with Bradley placing two on frame. Bailey Giddings, making her second career start for the Ragin' Cajuns, placed a shot frame in the 81st minute for Louisiana.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsSOC), Instagram (@RaginCajunsSOC) and Facebook (Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Soccer) or check RaginCajuns.com for Louisiana soccer updates.
Team Stats
LA
TXST
Goals
1
2
Shots
10
9
Shots on Goal
8
3
Saves
1
7
Corners
5
4
Fouls
7
8
Scoring Plays
Olivia Wright (7)
GOAL by TXST Wright, Olivia.
29:29
Mady Soumare (4)
GOAL by TXST Soumare, Mady.
71:44
Hailly Waterhouse (3)
Assisted By: Sisley Stephens
GOAL by LA Waterhouse, Hailly Assist by Stephens, Sisley.
87:39
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ SoccerF
/ SoccerMF
/ Soccer
GK
/ Soccer
MF
/ SoccerMF
/ SoccerMF
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