PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Christian University women's soccer team got goals from
Izzy Childs and
Maria White to down the Texas Wesleyan Rams 2-0 Thursday night at Wildcat Field.
Both teams looked to press the offense during the first half as both Louisiana Christian (3-2-1) and Texas Wesleyan (3-3-1) took 10 shots each in the half. It was the Wildcats accuracy which eventually paid dividends. As the clock ticked over into the 31
st minute,
Giselle Laing took possession of the ball and dribbled into the box, where two Ram defenders converged, dislodging the ball from her possession.
However, the ball fell right to the feet of Childs who found only the open net in front of her and she banged the ball into the goal for a 1-0 LCU lead. That would be the only score of the first half.
In the second half, both teams continued applying pressure, but again it was the Wildcats who struck. In the 77
th minute, LCU earned a corner kick and
Isabella Urbaneto stepped up to take it. As Urbaneto lifted the cross into the box, the referee spotted a foul being committed by Texas Wesleyan and awarded Louisiana Christian a penalty kick.
As the clock ticked up into the 78
th minute, White stepped up to the penalty spot and beat the goalkeeper with her shot for the 2-0 lead.
Childs took five shots in the match, putting three on target while scoring her fourth goal of the season. It also marks her third-straight match with a goal.
White's goal was her first of the year. She took two shots, putting both on target.
Laing matched Childs' match-high total with five shots taken, putting three on target.
Urbaneto also took two shots in the match.
LCU sent 17 total shots towards the Texas Wesleyan net, putting nine on target.
Marta Papandrea (2-1-1) played the first half and got the win in net. She saw 10 shots head her direction but none forced her to make a save to keep the ball out of the net.
Sara Mendivelso played the last 45 minutes and did have to make three saves to keep the shutout intact, which she did successfully.
TXWES took 16 shots in the match, putting three on frame.
The Wildcats have now completed non-conference action and will start Red River Athletic Conference play next Thursday as Southwest makes the trip from Hobbs, N.M. to Pineville. Kickoff of the RRAC opener against the Mustangs (0-5) is set for Thurs., Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. at Wildcat Field.
