ULM’s soccer team continues to surpass expectations, improving its performance year after year.
Its performance during the 2022 season was average at best. The team finished the season with an overall record of 10-6-3. A conference record of 2-6-2 and an SBC PCT of .300 kept them from climbing in the state rankings.
The 2023 season saw fewer ties but more losses. ULM scores were 9-2-8 overall, with 4-1-5 SBC and an SBC PCT of .650. The Warhawks often approached games as either an easy win or an impossible feat. That changed during the 2024 season.
Four players have been with the team since its 2022 struggles: senior Peyton Pipes, senior Mara Grutkamp, junior Emerson Roberts and junior Sophia Youngman.
“Mara is unbelievable,” Head coach Will Roberts said. “I think she’s one of the best players in the Sun Belt. She’s destined to go pro if she wants to.”
Starting the season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Aug. 15, the Warhawks mustered up some team spirit to come out with a 9-0 win. While not a formidable opponent, such a decisive win had the team fired up for a 6-game win streak.
The Warhawks battled Southern University, Grambling State, Nicholls, McNeese and Little Rock. Only Grambling State managed to score in those matches. Even then, it was just one point. Roberts talked about the defense this season.
“We have new players in our back line this season, and we’ve worked hard to get it right,” Roberts said. “We tied the record for most cleans sheets in a season for ULM, and that’s big. The team should be proud of it.”
A particularly rough patch hit the soccer team as it fought Oklahoma State, resulting in a 0-6 loss on Sept. 8—the first of the season.
After Oklahoma State, the team struggled for traction, losing to Oklahoma and Central Arkansas.
Thankfully, the Warhawks bounced back with a hard-fought victory over Troy.
A 1-0 win might not seem like much, but it ended the team’s losing streak.
Another loss to Old Dominion didn’t stop them, as they went to tie the Ragin’ Cajuns and James Madison with scores of 2-2. The Warhawks officially restarted their win streak on Oct. 10 with a 2-0 victory over Arkansas State.
“We knew this game was a big game for us,” Roberts said. “We saw good performance last game and in the second half of the game before, so we wanted to build off that. The mentality was win or nothing tonight.”
This performance led to an 8-4-2 score overall, with an SBC score of 2-1-2 and a PCT of .600.
“Our goal is always to win the championship. We’re still in the race, just five points off the top,” Roberts said. “We know Sun Belt’s tough, but we’re getting better and better.”