University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Thursday, August 29
Lafayette
6:30 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
3-0-2, 0-0-0
1
vs
0
Northwestern State
0-4-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Northwestern St.
0
0
0
Louisiana
0
1
1
Louisiana Stays Unbeaten with 1-0 Win Over Northwestern State
8/29/2024 10:19:00 PM | Soccer
The Ragin’ Cajuns remained undefeated after posting their third shutout of the year
LAFAYETTE - The Louisiana soccer posted their third clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 win over Northwestern State on Thursday. The Cajuns have allowed just two goals this season through five games, the fewest in program history to start a season.
"I think the group has done a wonderful job of bringing energy every day in practice and into the games," said head coach Chris McBride. "We're making it very difficult for opponents to create against us right now and I'm really proud of the way we're defending as a team."
Louisiana was busy offensively in the opening half firing 10 shots, but only one landed on goal. The team kept their intensity in the second half and finally broke through in the 55th minute on a goal by Aila Swinton off a cross by Tatum Beck.
"I just wanted to take my chances tonight, sometimes you see space and need to take it," said Swinton. "I want to help my team the best way I can. We talked before the game about crosses and I knew I needed to get myself in a good position during the game to make something happen."
Swinton, making her second straight start, and the rest of the defense did what they've done all season on Thursday and kept Northwestern State off the scoreboard. If not for a late shot from about 25 yards out, the Cajuns would have kept the opponent from taking a shot on goal for the second time this season in just five games. Through their five games, goalkeeper Natalie Mayes has only had to make six saves.
"Part of it is we love our goalkeeper (Mayes)," said Swinton. "We want to defend everything for her and make things as easy as possible for her. We want to be as strong as possible as a team. Less shots on goal means fewer chances for the other team and less goals. We work on being a stronger backline every day in practice at becoming stronger as a team."
Louisiana closes a five-game homestand on Sunday as they host Grambling at 5 p.m. from the Home Bank Soccer & Track Complex before hitting the road for three straight.
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.
"I think the group has done a wonderful job of bringing energy every day in practice and into the games," said head coach Chris McBride. "We're making it very difficult for opponents to create against us right now and I'm really proud of the way we're defending as a team."
Louisiana was busy offensively in the opening half firing 10 shots, but only one landed on goal. The team kept their intensity in the second half and finally broke through in the 55th minute on a goal by Aila Swinton off a cross by Tatum Beck.
"I just wanted to take my chances tonight, sometimes you see space and need to take it," said Swinton. "I want to help my team the best way I can. We talked before the game about crosses and I knew I needed to get myself in a good position during the game to make something happen."
Swinton, making her second straight start, and the rest of the defense did what they've done all season on Thursday and kept Northwestern State off the scoreboard. If not for a late shot from about 25 yards out, the Cajuns would have kept the opponent from taking a shot on goal for the second time this season in just five games. Through their five games, goalkeeper Natalie Mayes has only had to make six saves.
"Part of it is we love our goalkeeper (Mayes)," said Swinton. "We want to defend everything for her and make things as easy as possible for her. We want to be as strong as possible as a team. Less shots on goal means fewer chances for the other team and less goals. We work on being a stronger backline every day in practice at becoming stronger as a team."
Louisiana closes a five-game homestand on Sunday as they host Grambling at 5 p.m. from the Home Bank Soccer & Track Complex before hitting the road for three straight.
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
NWS
UL
Goals
0
1
Shots
2
18
Shots on Goal
1
4
Saves
3
1
Corners
2
6
Fouls
12
8
Scoring Plays
Aila Swinton (1)
Assisted By: Tatum Beck
GOAL by UL Swinton, Aila Assist by Beck, Tatum.
54:04
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Chris McBride Media Availability (Oct 27, 2025)
Monday, October 27
Chris McBride Media Availability (Oct 20, 2025)
Monday, October 20
Chris McBride Media Avialbility (Oct 13, 2025)
Monday, October 13
Chris McBride Media Availability (Oct 6, 2025)
Monday, October 06
