ULM started their season on the road with a victory against the Texas Southern Tigers. This is only the seventh time in school history that the Warhawks have won the season opener, and the first time since 2014. This win puts ULM in a great position to start the season after dropping their first 11 games last season. 

As regular time ran out, the game moved into overtime as the score was still tied at 1-1. This is where the Warhawks would take the lead when senior Theoni Zerva scored a goal in the 97th minute off an assist by freshman Mara Grutkamp. 

Texas Southern was able to take an early lead scoring at the 30-minute mark from 40 yards out. According to head coach Sean Fraser, this goal was a wake up call for the Warhawks.

“We were way too sluggish in the first 30 minutes and conceded a goal that we shouldn’t have,” Fraser said. “It took that goal to wake us up. After the goal, we stepped up a few levels and played in the manner that we have trained.”

After that goal, ULM kept a dominant look.

They only allowed two shots on the goal for the rest of the game. Meanwhile on offense they delivered 11 shots on the goal of Texas Southern. 

Coming into the second half, the Warhawks came out playing well and looking to even things up. The equalizing goal came in the 68th minute when ULM senior Ermelinda Pantaleao scored off a corner kick. 

ULM looks poised and ready to make a great run this season. 

“There’s lots to keep working on, so I can’t wait to get back in the video room and on the training ground,” Frasier said.

The Warhawks will look to continue this early success as they take on Central Arkansas at home this Friday at 7 p.m.

ULM soccer faced a number of challenges last season. In addition to COVID, there was an unprecedented divide in the season. The Warhawks went winless in the 10-game fall campaign. Their fate changed in the spring where they won five out of eight games. 

ULM will be led by several standout players this season. In her second season with the Warhawks, Janet Stopka will likely be a productive player after she led the team with 10 goals last season. This tied the school record for most goals in a single season and gained her an honorable mention All-Louisiana selection. 

Theoni Zerva and freshman Lena Göppel bring an international look to the team as they have played with the Hellenic and Liechtenstein national teams respectively. 

These players make for a dynamic look on the Warhawks’ roster this season. Sun Belt play will start on Sept. 19 for ULM where they will look to bounce back from last season when they lost all eight conference games. 

With this early success and these well-tested players, a better season looks to be on the horizon.