Montenegro's Goal Carries Louisiana Past Northwestern State, 1-0

NATCHITOCHES – Louisiana's Penelope Montenegro broke a scoreless early in the 72^nd minute and the Ragin' Cajuns limited Northwestern State to six shots overall in a 1-0 exhibition victory Saturday afternoon at the NSU Lady Demon Soccer Complex.

Freshman Natalie Mayes stopped a pair of shots in goal for Louisiana and set up Montenegro's goal with a feed into the middle of the field as the Ragin' Cajuns finished unblemished in a pair of friendly matches against in-state opponents.

Louisiana held a 6-4 advantage in shots in the first half as starting goalkeeper Makenna Garcia played the opening 45 minutes and stopped a shot for her lone save of the day.

In the second half, the Ragin' Cajuns outshot Northwestern State, 8-2, as Tatum Beck's attempt on goal 11 seconds into the final period was saved by Libe Banuelos. A header by Hailly Waterhouse in the 52^nd minute went wide before Mariella Stephens' attempt in the 56^th minute was wide left.

Mayes, who pitched a shutout in the second half for the second straight match, saved a pair of Lady Demon attempts to preserve the shutout before Louisiana would break the deadlocked contest when Montenegro scored her first goal of fall camp.

Beck attempted a match-high three shots – with a pair on-goal – for Louisiana with Stephens adding a pair of attempts. The Ragin' Cajuns placed six shots on frame in the match with Montenegro, Karleen Bedre, Sisley Stephens and Gabby Felix each recording one.

Banuelos stopped three shots for Northwestern State with Kora Fry adding a pair of saves over the final 37 minutes.

Louisiana will officially open its 2023 schedule on Thursday when it travels to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to face Middle Tennessee in a 7 p.m. match. The Ragin' Cajuns will officially open their home schedule on Sunday, August 20, in a White Out contest against South Florida in a 1 p.m. contest at the Home Bank Track/Soccer Complex.

Admission to all Louisiana home soccer matches is free.

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.

Montenegro's Goal Carries Louisiana Past Northwestern State, 1-0

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Tatum Beck

Karleen Bedre

Gabby Felix

Makenna Garcia

Natalie Mayes

Penelope Montenegro

Mariella Stephens

Sisley Stephens

Hailly Waterhouse