Soccer: Montoya Lifts Cajuns To 1-0 Win Over Sam Houston State in Season Opener

E-mail: blake.barington@louisiana.edu
Twitter: @blakeb2012

 

                                  Montoya Lifts Cajuns To 1-0 Win Over Sam Houston State in Season Opener

 

HUNTSVILLE, Texas   A goal by sophomore forward Yazmin Montoya in the 52nd minute carried the Louisiana soccer team to a 1-0 season-opening road win against Sam Houston State on Friday night at Pritchett Field.

 

Despite being outshot 28-5, the Ragin  Cajuns defense stood tall and kept the Bearkats from getting on the board. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Alexias Stricklin earned the win in her first career match, tallying seven saves with five coming in the second half. Montoya and sophomore midfielder Kimberly Grasso each took two shots on the night to lead the Ragin  Cajuns.

 

 The team defense did a great job,  said head coach Scot Wieland.  The first half we were on our heels but our defense got us through the half. We were not very sharp and were playing tentative. The second half, we did so much netter. We came out composed and created opportunities in the final third. The girls showed a lot of heart.

 

Junior forward Shelby McDaniel led SHSU with eight shots, one being on target, while junior midfielder Mariah Titus finished with seven shots and two on goal. SHSU junior goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton was saddled with the loss after giving up the one goal and picking up one save on the night.

 

In the first half, the Bearkats put pressure on the Ragin  Cajuns defense, totaling 11 shots during the first 45 minutes. Stricklin collected two saves and the UL defense blocked three-straight shots to keep SHSU from going on top in the first period.

 

Grasso put the first shot on goal of the contest in the 10th minute, but Hambleton snatched it up for her lone save of the game.

 

The Bearkats kept attacking in the early going of the second half with three shots, one on goal, in the first five minutes.

 

However, Montoya continued where she left off last season with a goal from inside the box in the 52nd minute that found the back corner of the net to give the Cajuns a 1-0 advantage.

 

SHSU attempted to equalize, taking 14 shots following Montoya s goal but were unable to capitalize.

 

Louisiana returns to action Sunday when the Ragin  Cajuns travel to Hammond to take on Southeastern Louisiana in a 4 p.m. match at the Southeastern Soccer Complex.