Stephen F. Austin
Louisiana-Monroe
Raymond, Barker Fuel SFA Past ULM 3-2
9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MONROE, Louisiana – Senior forward Chelsea Raymond tied the Stephen F. Austin all-time career points mark of 96, as the women’s soccer team prevailed 3-2 over Louisiana-Monroe on Friday afternoon at the ULM Soccer Complex.
"It is always good to get a result on the road, but I did think we came out flat today,” head coach Wally Crittenden said. “To compound the challenges, was a motivated Monroe squad celebrating their home opener and keeping numbers behind the ball while hoping for a counter. It was a frustrating tactic that challenged our patience and discipline, and ultimately they scored two goals because of it. I am proud of our team for responding to get the result though and I trust we will manage these challenges better as we move into conference play."
Raymond, who entered the contest with ULM (4-3) two points shy of the program record, scored the game-winning goal in the 81st minute to put the Ladyjacks (3-2-1) on top. The goal was the second of the season for the native of Irving, Texas. With her next goal or assist, Raymond will become the outright points leader in the history of the SFA program.
Freshman Hanna Barker put up her first multi-goal match of the season, scoring in the first and 41st minute, as redshirt freshman Lillie Ehlert (1-0) picked up her first win in the net. Ehlert, making her first appearance and start, made five saves and worked around two goals scored across the full 90 minutes played.
The Ladyjacks attempted a season-high 26 total shots and 13 shots on goal, while limiting the Warhawks to 15 shots and just seven tries on goal. SFA also led 9-5 on corner kicks.
The Ladyjacks wasted little time in imposing themselves on ULM, scoring 47 seconds in on a strike from Barker in the box. Sophomore Amanda Doyle assisted on the goal, her first of the season.
However, the Warhawks answered with two goals of their own to take a 2-1 edge over the next 27 minutes. ULM tied the game on a cross from Karlea Fehr to Jenna Pillon, her fifth of the season, in the ninth minute, before taking the lead on a header by Danielle LaFrance off a corner kick in the 28th minute.
Barker again struck for SFA in the 41st minute, putting back the deflection of her initial shot to tie the game two-all just before the half.
In the second period, both teams combined for 18 shots (SFA-13; ULM-5) before Raymond’s game-winner found the back of the net on a fast break. Senior Zuri Prince fed the ball to Raymond for her team-leading fourth assists of the season.
The Warhawks attempted to tie the match in the final four minutes, taking two shots, but to no avail, as Ehlert made her fifth save of the night and the final shot missed high on a last-ditch effort to seal the victory 3-2.
The Ladyjacks will now return to Nacogdoches for a 1 p.m. match at the SFA Soccer Field against Southern for “Dog’s Day Out” on Sunday. SFA will be giving away free frisbees to the first 200 fans in attendance, courtesy of Nikki Wallace and State Farm.
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