The Warhawks fell 3-2 to the Arkansas State Red Wolves during a conference game at the ULM Soccer Complex Friday afternoon. They went into this game with a 5-9-1 season record and 1-3 in Sun Belt conference play.
The Red Wolves pushed down the field scoring the first goal within the first minutes of the game and continued to dominate throughout the first half.
The Warhawks had a hard time defending Arkansas’s offensive play. The Red Wolves managed to score again before the half, making it 2-0 in their favor at the end of the half.
“We made some errors and they came out on fire,” said ULM head coach Roberto Mazza when asked about their performance.
In the second half, the momentum shifted to the Warhawks. ULM offense came out on the attack with the first goal scored early by mid-fielder/forward Karlea Fehr with assists from mid-field/forward Mary Ashton Lembo and mid-field/forward Jenna Floyd.
They continued to keep pressure on the Red Wolves, with forward Jenna Pillon scoring their second goal 10 minutes later, assisted by mid-fielder Mariah Mitchell.
With the game tied at 2-2, ULM continued the pressure on the Red Wolves making a game total of 14 shots to Arkansas’s 11 shots.
At one point ULM made a shot that bounced off the bottom of the crossbar, and looked like it went into the goal, but officials did not award the goal. Arkansas State went on to score once more, winning the game 3-2.
“I definitely think our team came out with a lot more energy, and after the first goal you could see that the whole team picked it up,” said Jenna Pillon, forward for the Warhawks. “I knew that getting the second goal definitely helped light the fire. Unfortunately, we didn’t get another goal in and they ended up scoring. You could definitely tell our team wanted it today.”
Mazza said the team performed great in the second half.
“I really felt that we absolutely dominated this game. You know what, if you are not going to play a complete 90 minute game, you’re just not going to win, “said Mazza. “Overall, I’m very pleased with the last 45 minutes and we’re going to come very strong on Sunday.”
The Warhawks will play its next conference game against the UALR Trojans on Sunday, Oct. 13th at the ULM soccer complex.
