Soccer: Pair of goals from Schmidt helps Cajuns defeat NIU

Louisiana Soccer

WACO, Texas – Junior forward Annika Schmidt scored a pair of first half goals on Sunday against Northern Illinois, allowing the Cajuns to extend their unbeaten streak to five matches in a 2-1 win at the Betty Lou Mays Soccer Field on the Baylor University campus.

Schmidt collected her second goal of the season in the fourth minute of action tapping in a rebound off a shot attempt by teammate Ashleigh Cade, pushing UL (5-2-1) ahead, 1-0.

Following three unsuccessful shot attempts following the first score, Cade found Schmidt on a break down the left side of the field where she fired a shot inside the box to beat Northern Illinois goalkeeper Mackenzie Lee.

The Louisiana defense held Northern Illinois’ offense to three shot attempts in the match’s first period as the Cajuns went into the intermission with a 2-0 advantage.

The Huskies trimmed the Cajuns’ lead in half at the 57-minute mark, but were unable to deliver the match’s equalizer for the final 33 minutes.

Senior goalkeeper Lindsey Stocks made her second straight start in goal for freshman Cosette Morche. The Cyprus, Calif., native matched her career-high with 10 saves on the afternoon (seven in the second period) to improve her record to 1-0-1.

"Our defense did a great job all weekend," Louisiana head coach Scot Wieland said. "Everybody needs to be ready to do their jobs when the time comes. Our defense did a great job all weekend and [Lindsey] Stocks really stepped up big for [Cosette] Morche."

The Cajuns’ weekend efforts culminated with three players (Kimberly Grasso, Ashleigh Cade, Sarah Kozlowski) earning All-Baylor Tournament Team accollades.

"We got two good results on the road this weekend," Wieland said. "It was not about any one player. I was proud of their work ethic to get a win today and was most proud of how we were able to build on the things that will make us successful in conference play."

The Cajuns will return home to host Grambling next Friday, September 18 for a 7 p.m. first kick at the Cajuns Soccer Complex.