Boxscore RUSTON, La. ? A great defensive play by Grambling?s Ashley Baker led to the only goal of the match as the Lady Tigers upset the homestanding Lady Techsters on Tuesday, 1-0, at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Tech outshot and basically outplayed the Lady Tigers for much of the match, but could not match Grambling State?s athleticism and was unable to find a way past Lady Tiger keeper Cherie Silas, who had 10 saves.
?We made one mistake tonight and we got punished for it,? Tech head coach
Kevin Sherry said. ?I think their athleticism was the key. We dominated the game, but we just couldn?t find the net. That?s one of the quirks of soccer, the team that plays the best doesn?t always win.?
Grambling would strike when freshman Ashley Baker stole the ball from a Tech defender deep in Lady Techster territory. The speedy Baker sprinted past the few remaining Tech defenders and beat
Tara Gavlak to the far post, giving the Lady Tigers a 1-0 lead.
Tech would miss out a golden opportunity late in the half when
Kiva Gresham was fouled on a breakaway just inside the 18-yard box, leading to Tech?s first penalty kick attempt of the season.
Katlyn Bachan?s shot was on target, but Lady Tiger goalkeeper Cherie Silas made a diving save, preserving Grambling?s lead.
Neither team could find the back of the net in the second half, though both squads did have their chances. A great save by Gavlak prevented a second GSU score late in the half, and Tech missed out on several opportunites as well.
Grambling now holds a 2-0 series advantage over Louisiana Tech.
The banged-up Lady Techsters will take a much-needed break this weekend before returning to action Oct. 12. WAC play begins that night as Louisiana Tech plays host to Boise State at 7 p.m.