By KACEY D. RICHARD

kdr011@latech.edu

 

Tech women’s soccer team opened the season with an impressive 7-0 shutout victory over Nicholls State August 25, signifying their first ever season opening victory.

Sophomore forward Denise Wilson proved to be a major asset for the Lady Techsters (4-3-1), scoring three goals against the Colonels, tying the schools record for most goals scored in a single game.

The Lady Techsters went on to win their next two games as well, with a 4-1 victory over Prairie View A&M and a 2-1 win against Stephen F. Austin.

Unfortunately, the excitement was short lived due to three consecutive losses at the hands of Southern Miss with a 4-0 score, Arkansas with a 2-1 score and Missouri State with a score of 1-0, evening the Techsters’ record at 3-3.

Tech then christened their new field in Joe Aillet Stadium last Friday when the team played Arkansas State. Though they didn’t manage a win, the Lady Techsters nixed their three-game losing streak by tying with ASU 0-0 in overtime.

The game was a battle to the end, with Tech out-shooting Arkansas State 23-6.

Sophomore midfielder Sarah Chovanec led the Tech offense with seven shots, one on goal, in the contest, followed by sophomore forward Emily Cleveland with three shots, two of which were on goal.

Freshman goalkeeper Jill Medigovich had two saves while recording her second shutout game of the season.

Tech head coach Jennifer Burns said she was pleased with how her team gutted it out in overtime, but wants to see them step up in the clutch.

That performance in the clutch is exactly what the young team did in their home match against Southeastern Louisiana Sunday afternoon, defeating the Lady Lions 3-2.

“Today was a big day for us,” Burns said. “We’ve never come back from being down a goal.”

Against SLU, Cleveland hit a cross shot that sunk in the left-hand corner of the goal at an almost impossible angle to record her fifth goal of the season and tie the game.

She then assisted sophomore Brook Kelly, who picked up her fourth goal of the season to take the lead for the Lady Techsters.

Moments later, freshman Utibe Akpaninyie recorded her first career goal with a header, sending Tech into the half with a two-goal lead.

Burns said seeing her team pull from behind and score three goals in the first half shows they are maturing as the season progresses.

“That was a good sign of where we’re going,” she said. “I was excited that the team played well. It was a step in the right direction as far as shots on goal.”

The Lady Techsters’ match last night with Northwestern State occurred after The Tech Talk went to press and will be covered next week.

Their next game will be Sept. 27, when the team will play host to Centenary at 7 p.m in Joe Aillet Stadium.