Tina Sanchez scores in the 82nd minute to give Louisiana a 2-1 win

LAFAYETTE, La. – A strike from senior midfielder Tina Sanchez in the 82^nd minute lifted the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns soccer team to a 2-1 victory over UALR on Friday night at the Cajuns Soccer Complex.

Louisiana (6-6-2, 1-3-1 SBC), who held an advantage in shots (13-11) and shots on goal (6-4), limited the Trojans to just three shots in the first half of play. Junior transfer Lindsey Stocks (1-0-1) made her first career start in goal for the Cajuns, playing the full 90 minutes with one goal allowed, while collecting three saves in the victory. For UALR (9-4-1, 0-4-1 SBC), Bre Ilkuf (4-2-0) suffered the loss for the Trojans, allowing two goals and picking up four saves.

"I’m proud of the team’s effort tonight," said head coach Scot Wieland. "All conference games are tough, and they earned a great home win tonight."

Louisiana controlled the possession through a majority of the first half with strong performances from the Cajuns midfield. Louisiana’s aggressiveness paid off in the 21^st minute as freshman forward Madison Duncan played a ball to freshman midfielder Jorgie Smith inside the box. Smith then fired from the left side of the box to find the right corner of the net for a 1-0 Cajuns lead.

Both teams went quietly through the remainder of the first period as freshman midfielder Ashleigh Cade put one shot on goal in the 35^th minute, while the Trojans were held to zero attempts the final 24 minutes of the half.

UALR picked up its intensity in the second period before evening the contest midway through the second half. In the 66^th minute, Fali Garuba put the Trojans on the board with a strike from the left side of the box. Stocks came out from between the posts on the play before Garuba sent the ball out of her reach to even the match at 1-1.

The Cajuns almost went back on top two minutes later as sophomore forward Yazmin Montoya and sophomore Kimberly Grasso placed back-to-back shots on goal. Grasso caught Ilfuk out of position but Ilfuk was able to snatch the ball up to keep the contest tied.

However, Sanchez helped Louisiana regain the lead in the 82^nd minute, placing a beautiful ball into the left corner of the net with a strike from the far right side of the pitch.

The Cajuns held on to their lead late in the contest as Stocks collected a shot by Linnea Kogsta in the final seconds to help the squad to a 2-1 win.

Smith led Louisiana with three shots on the night, while Grasso finished with a team-high two shots on goal. Garuba paced UALR with four shots, two being on goal.

Louisiana closes out its homestand Sunday with a 1 p.m. contest against Arkansas State at the Cajuns Soccer Complex.

— RaginCajuns.com —