The ULM Warhawks’ soccer team returned to action on Friday in a 2-1 loss to Stephen F. Austin State University.
Fans of the team came out to the old soccer field for Friday afternoon’s exhibition game loss to the Ladyjacks.
Although the team lost the Warhawks put up a fight for most of the game. The Ladyjacks scored early on in the 12th minute but it only took the Warhawks 11 more minutes to tie the game up courtesy of a goal by senior forward Amanda Castillo. Her goal was assisted by senior midfielder Erika Wiest, who ran the ball up the left wing before depositing it the box where it was eventually sent to the back of the net by Castillo.

Head soccer coach, Keyton Wheelock used the exhibition match as a way to better judge her players before the start of the season. Multiple subs were used throughout the game and it seemed like everybody got some playing time in various positions.

“Our biggest focus in the off-season was getting numbers to attack out of the back and get numbers forward,” Wheelock said. “We had multiple times where we had four or five kids in the box and that’s what we need.”
Among the players used during Friday’s exhibition games notable standouts include freshmen forward McKenzie Rizqi and returning junior forward Taylor Altieri. Both women led the Warhawks’ offense and created trouble for the opposing team’s defense.

Soccer returns to action and kicks off their season this Friday when they travel to face Grambling State. Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.