University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Thursday, August 15
Lake Charles, La.
7 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
at
1
McNeese
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Louisiana
1
1
2
McNeese
0
1
1
Cajuns Control Pace in Season Opening Win Over McNeese
8/15/2024 11:36:00 PM | Soccer
The Ragin’ Cajuns improved to 4-0-1 over their last five season openers
LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana - The Louisiana soccer team started their season the right way with a 2-1 win over McNeese on Thursday at Cowgirl Field. The Ragin' Cajuns earned a positive result for the fifth straight year in a season opener.
"It's awesome to start the season this way," said Mariella Stephens. "We came out from the start playing full speed and I think it showed the hard work we've been putting in as a team."
Neither side had many shots early but the Cajuns controlled possession. The offense finally broke through in the 19th minute when Adeline Nemeth scored off a long pass from the foot of Sisley Stephens. Nemeth took the pass, dribbled around the goalkeeper, and found the back of the net for her first career goal.
"When I saw Sis play that ball, I knew to take a touch around the keeper and it just happened to lead to a goal," said Nemeth.
The Cajuns kept the pressure on the Cowgirls, holding the home side without a shot in the opening half while taking 11 of their own.
The score remained 1-0 heading into the second half until the 69th minute when they scored again. After McNeese saved a ball on the end line, Tatum Beck cleaned up the loose ball with a pass to Mariella Stephens who put it home from just a few yards from the net.
"It was a testament to my teammates," said Stephens. "First Tori (Bockstadter) dribbling through to make a run and then Tatum for not giving up on the ball, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to put it in the back of the net."
Louisiana continued to push the pace and controlled the game up until the final moments when McNeese avoided the shutout with a goal off a corner kick with just 26 seconds on the clock.
"We can't let that last 30 seconds happen again but the first 89.5 minutes were great," said Stephens. "We wanted to put it to them from the start and our fitness allowed us."
The Ragin' Cajuns host Louisiana Tech on Sunday, August 18 in their home opener with kick off scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Home Bank Soccer & Track Complex.
FOLLOW THE CAJUNS
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), Facebook (Ragin' Cajuns Soc) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsSoc) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Soccer.
"It's awesome to start the season this way," said Mariella Stephens. "We came out from the start playing full speed and I think it showed the hard work we've been putting in as a team."
Neither side had many shots early but the Cajuns controlled possession. The offense finally broke through in the 19th minute when Adeline Nemeth scored off a long pass from the foot of Sisley Stephens. Nemeth took the pass, dribbled around the goalkeeper, and found the back of the net for her first career goal.
"When I saw Sis play that ball, I knew to take a touch around the keeper and it just happened to lead to a goal," said Nemeth.
The Cajuns kept the pressure on the Cowgirls, holding the home side without a shot in the opening half while taking 11 of their own.
The score remained 1-0 heading into the second half until the 69th minute when they scored again. After McNeese saved a ball on the end line, Tatum Beck cleaned up the loose ball with a pass to Mariella Stephens who put it home from just a few yards from the net.
"It was a testament to my teammates," said Stephens. "First Tori (Bockstadter) dribbling through to make a run and then Tatum for not giving up on the ball, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to put it in the back of the net."
Louisiana continued to push the pace and controlled the game up until the final moments when McNeese avoided the shutout with a goal off a corner kick with just 26 seconds on the clock.
"We can't let that last 30 seconds happen again but the first 89.5 minutes were great," said Stephens. "We wanted to put it to them from the start and our fitness allowed us."
The Ragin' Cajuns host Louisiana Tech on Sunday, August 18 in their home opener with kick off scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Home Bank Soccer & Track Complex.
FOLLOW THE CAJUNS
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), Facebook (Ragin' Cajuns Soc) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsSoc) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Soccer.
Team Stats
ULL
MCN
Goals
2
1
Shots
21
6
Shots on Goal
11
4
Saves
3
9
Corners
3
3
Fouls
12
7
Scoring Plays
Adeline Nemeth (1)
Assisted By: Sisley Stephens
GOAL by ULL Nemeth, Adeline Assist by Stephens, Sisley.
18:01
Mariella Stephens (1)
Assisted By: Tatum Beck
GOAL by ULL Stephens, Mariella Assist by Beck, Tatum.
68:01
Morgan Schooley (1)
Assisted By: Morgan Fiedler
GOAL by MCN Schooley, Morgan Assist by Fiedler, Morgan.
89:34
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ SoccerF
/ SoccerMF
/ SoccerMF
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