Soccer: Second Half Rally Lifts Cajuns To Win Over Mountaineers

 

Louisiana wins third straight with 2-1 victory over Appalachian State

BOONE, N.C. – Second half goals from sophomores Natalie Newman and Yazmin Montoya lifted the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns soccer team to a 2-1 road victory over Appalachian State on Friday night at the Appalachian Soccer Stadium.

Despite being outshot 22-6, the Cajuns placed five of their six shots on goal while the Mountaineers totaled six shots on target. Montoya led Louisiana (8-6-2, 3-3-1 SBC) with three shots on the night with two coming on goal. Julia Holz led Appalachian State (6-9, 3-3 SBC) with five shots.

Redshirt freshman goalie Alexias Stricklin (6-6-1) earned the win for the Cajuns, allowing one goal with five saves. Megan Roberson (6-8) was given the loss for the Mountaineers, allowing two goals while picking up three saves.

"It was a tale of two halves tonight," said head coach Scot Wieland. "The girls responded incredibly well the second half. They regained their composure and played the way they needed to get a great result on the road. I’m very proud of this team and the character they showed tonight."

Appalachian State grabbed a 1-0 advantage midway through the first half. Holz recorded her first score of the season from 25 yards out after receiving a pass from Merlin Beckwith to give the Mountaineers a 1-0 halftime lead.

Newman evened the match for the Cajuns in the 52^nd minute with her first career goal, finding the bottom left corner of the goal from 25 yards out for a 1-1 contest.

In the 61^st minute, senior defender Grace Howell-Harries continued the Cajuns attack with a shot on goal, but had it saved by Roberson.

Both teams went quiet offensively over the next 10 minutes until Montoya recorded her second game-winning goal of the season. From 40 yards out, Montoya found the net to give Louisiana the 2-1 advantage. With her 20^th career goal, Montoya moved into a tie for second in the school record books alongside Courtney Hofland (2006-10).

The Mountaineers’ final attempt to even the match came in the 79^th minute as Jane Cline put the only shot on goal for the squad in the final 40 minutes of play. However, Stricklin kept Appalachian State from tying the contest and helping the Cajuns come away with the win.

Louisiana continues its road trip Sunday, traveling west to San Marcos, Texas, to take on Texas State in a 1 p.m. contest.