Soccer: Strong First Half Propels Cajuns

Four first half goals were enough to give the Ragin’ Cajuns soccer team a 4-0 win over Mississippi Valley at home on Sunday afternoon.  The win marked the Cajuns second victory on the opening weekend of the season.

Louisiana (2-0-0) got two goals from senior captain Kelli Jestes, as well as one each from Chelsea Balestra and Shelby Isley.  Amanda Moorefield (2-0-0) and Lauren Berlingo combined to record the clean sheet in goal for the Cajuns.

The two wins to start the season marks the first time in program history that the Ragin’ Cajuns have started 2-0.  Also, Sunday’s result, combined with a 1-0 win over McNeese State on Friday, marks the first time since September 30, 2005 that the Cajuns have recorded back-to-back shutouts.

The Cajuns controlled the ball most of the match as the Delta Devilettes recorded only one shot all day.  In comparison, UL fired off 19 shots with 14 coming on goal.

Louisiana took the lead early, scoring off of a Jestes strike in the sixth minute.  The Fort Collins, Colo., native took a pass from Balestra inside the box.  Jestes took a shot from about 15 yards out that deflected off of a Mississippi Valley defender, and into the back of the net.

The Cajuns added another score in the 13^th minute, this time off of Balestra’s boot.  Megan Riley got things started by delivering a lob pass from just over midfield.  The pass dropped just behind the Devilettes defense to the foot of a streaking Balestra who beat the goalie to give UL a 2-0 lead.

In the 26^th minute, Jestes added her second goal of the match, this one from about 33 yards out off of a Brooke Perry early cross.  The goal gave Jestes her first career multiple goal game and gave her 18 for her career, putting her one goal ahead of teammate Courtney Hofland for first place on the Cajuns career goals scored list.

Jestes four points on the day also tied her with Hofland, who had an assist against McNeese State on Friday, for first place in that category with 42 career points.

The Cajuns added their final goal in the 36^th minute when Isley slid into a Cayla Chatman cross at the far post to put UL up 4-0.  The goal marked the first of the true freshman’s career.

UL posted 11 shots in the first half with ten coming on goal.  However, the Cajuns only put four shots on goal in the second frame.

"To start 2-0 is always good," head coach Scot Wieland said. "But we’ve got to work on our fitness so we can maintain our intensity level throughout the game."

The Delta Devilettes lone shot came off of the foot of Santoria Lunsford in the second half but was pushed away by a sliding Berlingo who came out of the net to meet Lunsford.

The Cajuns start class this week, and return to play in front of the home fans when they host Houston on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Ragin’ Cajuns Track/Soccer Facility.  The Cajuns will also host Lamar on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

— Ragin’ Cajuns —