Historic run stunned by Eagles

The Warhawks’ historic season came to an end last week at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament after losing in the semifinals to the Georgia Southern Eagles. 

The Hawks won their first two games against Troy and top-seeded Arkansas State before dropping to the Eagles. 

ULM achieved its first ever SBC tournament wins and first tournament win since 2004. 

After having to forfeit some early conference wins, ULM came in underseeded at the eighth spot. According to Mississippi Valley State Athletics, the Warhawks had to forfeit the games due to using an ineligible player. 

The Warhawks played their first game on Monday against Troy. This game set ULM up to get quick revenge after the Trojans beat ULM in their last regular season game 2-1. 

Both teams came out hot looking to get an early edge. The Warhawks were awarded a penalty kick in the 38th minute. Senior Theoni Zerva was given the ball and she delivered putting ULM 1-0. 

This goal was all the Warhawks needed to advance to the quarterfinals after some stellar saves from junior goalie Haley Hillock kept the Trojans from scoring.

After one day of rest, ULM was right back in the game playing top-seeded Arkansas State. The Red Wolves had a bye in the first round, giving them extra rest before facing ULM.

But the Hawks struck again by beating Arkansas State 2-1. 

ULM got on the board early after freshman Mara Grutkamp scored off an assist from fellow freshman Taylor Henry in the 10th minute putting the Warhawks up 1-0.

Despite having another penalty kick opportunity in this game, ULM kept the score at 1-0 going into the half. The Hawks doubled their lead in the 69th minute after Henry scored unassisted. 

The Red Wolves scored a goal in the 73rd minute, but Hillock played another stellar game with nine saves in the net to help ULM advance to the semifinals. 

This game is where the Warhawks’ Cinderella season would come to an end as the second half offense from Georgia Southern was too much for a run-down ULM to handle.

ULM got on the board first after junior Paula Guba scored off an assist from Grutkamp. The second half did not fall in favor of the Warhawks though, as the Eagles got two quick goals in the 47th and 51st minutes to take the lead. 

Not being able to mount much offensively, the score would hold and ULM would lose 2-1.