University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Sunday, August 31
Lafayette
1 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
3-2-0, 0-0-0
1
vs
2
Rice
4-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Rice
1
1
2
Louisiana
0
1
1
Louisiana Falls in Back-and-Forth Battle Against Rice
8/31/2025 6:22:00 PM | Soccer
Maiya Clark scored her second of the season in the effort
LAFAYETTE - An entertaining battle that saw a combined 28 shots ended with the Louisiana soccer team falling to Rice, 2-1, on Sunday at the Home Bank Soccer and Track Complex.
"They're a high-level opponent. It was really good to see that challenge on our field on a Sunday," said head coach Chris McBride. "It was our first game at one o'clock, so that presents a challenge in itself. They played some good stuff, and it made us rise to the level. We were a little slow in the first half, but in the second half, I thought we did a good job in limiting them and creating our own opportunities. Overall, I thought it was a really good performance for us."
Rice got on the board in the opening 10 minutes for the early lead. They could have extended the lead further if not for the heroics of Natalie Mayes in net, who ended the afternoon with four saves and multiple deflections on crosses.
"It's a tough one for a keeper because anytime you give up two goals, they think they didn't have a good game, but Natalie made some incredible saves today," said McBride. "Her distribution was good, and her command of the box was good. She did a really good job of making the decisions at the right time and gave the team some inspiration to keep going despite the early deficit."
The Cajuns continued to fight in the second half and finally broke through in the 67th minute when Maiya Clark cleaned up a loose ball for her second goal of the year. The score held there until the Owls broke the tie in the 85th minute to hold off the Cajuns.
"It's perfect preparation for conference play," said McBride. "It's exactly what we'll see in conference play, they have good athletes and are well coached. We got to see some things today and are now ready for them, and know some things that we need to work on. It's what you want out of a non-conference match."
Louisiana continues non-conference play on Thursday at 6 p.m. when they take on Ole Miss on the road.
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.
"They're a high-level opponent. It was really good to see that challenge on our field on a Sunday," said head coach Chris McBride. "It was our first game at one o'clock, so that presents a challenge in itself. They played some good stuff, and it made us rise to the level. We were a little slow in the first half, but in the second half, I thought we did a good job in limiting them and creating our own opportunities. Overall, I thought it was a really good performance for us."
Rice got on the board in the opening 10 minutes for the early lead. They could have extended the lead further if not for the heroics of Natalie Mayes in net, who ended the afternoon with four saves and multiple deflections on crosses.
"It's a tough one for a keeper because anytime you give up two goals, they think they didn't have a good game, but Natalie made some incredible saves today," said McBride. "Her distribution was good, and her command of the box was good. She did a really good job of making the decisions at the right time and gave the team some inspiration to keep going despite the early deficit."
The Cajuns continued to fight in the second half and finally broke through in the 67th minute when Maiya Clark cleaned up a loose ball for her second goal of the year. The score held there until the Owls broke the tie in the 85th minute to hold off the Cajuns.
"It's perfect preparation for conference play," said McBride. "It's exactly what we'll see in conference play, they have good athletes and are well coached. We got to see some things today and are now ready for them, and know some things that we need to work on. It's what you want out of a non-conference match."
Louisiana continues non-conference play on Thursday at 6 p.m. when they take on Ole Miss on the road.
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
RIC
UL
Goals
2
1
Shots
13
15
Shots on Goal
6
9
Saves
7
4
Corners
4
6
Fouls
9
9
Scoring Plays
Lauren Pickup (1)
Assisted By: Leah Chancey
GOAL by RIC Pickup, Lauren Assist by Chancey, Leah.
08:46
Maiya Clark (2)
Assisted By: Briana Henry
GOAL by UL Clark, Maiya Assist by Henry, Briana.
66:34
Leah Chancey (3)
Assisted By: Lauren Pickup
GOAL by RIC Chancey, Leah Assist by Pickup, Lauren.
84:56
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Soccer
GK
/ SoccerChris McBride Media Avialbility (Oct 13, 2025)
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Chris McBride Media Availability Sep 29, 2025
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Chris McBride Media Avialbility (Sep 22, 2025)
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