Soccer: Cajuns shut out McNeese State on the road

LAKE CHARLES, La. — Louisiana senior Claire Ruehle netted her first goal of the season while freshman goalkeeper Cosette Morche kept an opponent off the scoreboard for the second time in 2015, helping the Ragin’ Cajuns come away with a 1-0 victory at McNeese State on Friday night.

 

 

The victory improves Ragin’ Cajuns’ record to 3-2-0 and gives them back-to-back wins for the first time this season. It is also the third win in the last four matches overall for Louisiana.

 

 

The Cajuns’ offense was in control all night long, outshooting the Cowgirls 23-10 with an 11-2 advantage in the first period. Louisiana fired off five shot attempts in the first 22 minutes but could not come away with a score. Junior forward Yazmin Montoya came close in the 42nd minute but the ball grazed the crossbar to keep the game scoreless going into halftime.

 

 

Louisiana pulled ahead, 1-0 in the 48th minute when Ruehle scored off a rebound following a missed shot from Lea Raedle.

 

 

For the final 35 minutes of the match, McNeese State scrambled to try and tie the game, but the Cajun defense refused to let up, stopping eight Cowgirls shots attempts.

 

 

The Cajuns outscored the Cowgirls, 23-10 with a 7-3 edge in shots-on-goal. Montoya led Louisiana with six shot attempts, a season high.

 

 

"The girls gave a great team effort for 90 minutes and the defense played with a lot of composure and discipline," head coach Scot Wieland said. "After the first 15-20 minutes on offense, we gained our composure and kept possession a lot better for the rest of the match. I was proud of the team for a great road win."

 

 

Morche saved three shots in all 90 minutes between the pipes to improve to 3-2-0 this season.

 

 

The Cajuns have won three straight matches with the Cowgirls, improving their overall record against McNeese State to 7-2-3. Louisiana has won five of six matches in Lake Charles in the all-time series.

 

 

Next up for Louisiana is a matchup with the Northwestern State Lady Demons at the Ragin’ Cajuns Soccer Complex this Sunday, September 6 for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

 

 

Kim Lakner, Sports Information Assistant Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics

 

Phone: 337-482-6329

 

Email: lakner@louisiana.edu