Soccer: Ragin’ Cajuns Blanks Nicholls State, 2-0 to Pick Up First Win of Season

LAFAYETTE   The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns soccer team picked up its first win of the season, blanking visiting Nicholls State, 2-0 at the Ragin’ Cajuns Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon.
 The Cajuns (1-1-0) got on the scoreboard in the 14th minute when junior forward Yazmin Montoya picked up the first of her two assists, feeding a pass from the left side to junior midfielder Kimberly Grasso from about 10 yards in front of the keeper.  The goal was the first for Grasso on the season.
 
"I was going to go for the attack but then I decided to see if the ball would ricochet out," Grasso said. "I was hesitant when the ball was in the air because it was on my right foot and I am left-handed. I just went in, kept my head down and finished the play. It was really exciting."
 
The Louisiana defense did not yield a shot attempt in the first half.
 
In the 82nd minute Montoya kicked it out to junior forward Annika Schmidt who completed the scoring play chipping the ball over the head of Nicholls State goalkeeper Amanda Boylson from nearly 30 yards away.
 
The two assists for Montoya moved her into a third-place tie on the Cajuns’ all-time list with nine. She stands one assist away from tying Sara Vienberg for second place in program history. Montoya bumped her career point total to 49, one shy of matching Kelli Jestes for second place on the Ragin’ Cajuns all-time list.
 
Louisiana freshman goalkeeper Cosette Morche (1-1-0) registered the first win and first shutout of her collegiate career. She logged all 90 minutes, saving seven shots, a season high.
 
"The defense played great again and I was really proud of them and [freshman goalkeeper] Cosette Morche as well," Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Scot Wieland said. "We put the ball in the net and we got the result we wanted. I am happy for the girls because they are being rewarded for the hard work they are putting in.
 
"It’s nice to finish the weekend with a win, which is always important at home. The girls have been working really hard and defending very well. It’s a good sign for what’s to come."
 
The Cajuns will begin a three-game road trip beginning next Friday, August 28 at Ole Miss for a 7 p.m. first kick.