The ULM soccer team defeated Troy 1-0, breaking its three-game losing streak in the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) opening match.

Since joining the SBC, the Warhawks (7-3; 1-0) have only won 3 opening games out of 19.

The first half started with an early push from Troy. ULM goalie Jennifer Handy stopped a long shot within the game’s first minute.

After this shot, neither team generated much offense since both sides focused on maintaining possession.

A foul on the Warhawks forward Jaden Masters earned ULM a freekick midway in the first half. ULM attempted to take the lead with this play, but the shot from midfielder Mara Grutkamp wasn’t enough.

To strengthen its offense, ULM substituted its forward, Jensyn Lins, for Emelie Kobler. The change was effective as Lins pushed on offense, unleashing a shot within two minutes.

ULM defender Sandra Walbeck made a run down the left side, creating a space in the Trojan defense. She delivered a pass to Grutkamp, who fired a banger from outside the box, giving ULM a 1-0 lead with 18 minutes left in the half.

ULM had the upper hand as the first half ended, with both teams recording six shots each. The Trojans committed four fouls, while the Warhawks called for six.

ULM kept its momentum going in the second half, going for another early goal. The Trojans’ goalie saved another shot from Grutkamp shortly after the break.

Troy, in search of a comeback, played aggressively. The Trojans fouled ten times in the last 40 minutes compared to ULM’s four. Troy also had eight shots on goal, double that of ULM’s attempts.

With no goals in the second half, the game ended 1-0. Handy’s clean sheet added to ULM’s record for the most clean sheets in a season at six.

The Warhawks will face Old Dominion on Thursday in their second Sun Belt match.