Aug. 31, 2008
Final Stats
DENTON, Texas - Louisiana Tech's soccer team battled stifling heat and humidity and its second game in less than 48 hours, but came away with a 2-0 victory at Texas Woman's University on Sunday afternoon.
Tech (1-1) got a pair of goals from sophomore Katlyn Bachan and freshman Olivia Lukasewich, and used a strong defensive effort to preserve the shutout for freshman keeper Cat Buchanan, who was making her first collegiate appearance. TWU fell to 0-1 on the young season.
"The second half was much better than the first," second-year head coach Kevin Sherry said. "It was so hot and humid, and after (losing) on Friday...the girls were sort of feeling sorry for themselves. I had to do a `Coach Dooley' and wake them up at halftime."
Indeed, Sherry said the team was inspired by the Bulldogs' big football win on Saturday night over Mississippi State.
"We used football as inspiration," he said. "We told them, `Let's use this momentum and good feeling and run with it. Let's be positive; let's not just fold.' I think it helped."
Tech jumped on the board early when Bachan took a cross from senior Amy Wolsted and blasted a shot from 25 yards out that eluded the Pioneer keeper and found the back of the net, giving the Lady Techsters a 1-0 lead just 1:35 into the game. It was the second-fastest goal in school history, with only Katherine Peters' score at the 1:00 mark against Belhaven College on Sept. 9, 2005 coming faster.
Cleaveland, the school's all-time leader in points and assists, would add to her record totals in the 75th minute as her cross from the right side found Lukasewich in the center who put it past the keeper for her first collegiate goal and a 2-0 Tech lead.
"We created a lot of good chances," Sherry said. "Brooke Lanie hit the post in the 35th minute on a great combination down the right side. Olivia just barely missed the post on another chance a little later."
Tech outshot the Pioneers on the afternoon, 19-10, and only allowed three shots on goal for TWU.
"They had possession, but we were so organized on defense," Sherry said. "Cat Buchanan was never really worried in goal. Amy Wolsted was outstanding over the whole weekend. She really stood out. We couldn't have had this kind of success without her; she was a rock in the middle of the field.
"We're very appreciative of all the fans that came out to support us this weekend. It was great to see so many family and friends of our players on the road."
Improvement continues to be evident as Tech, which scored three goals on the weekend, did not score its third goal of 2007 until the seventh game of the season. But Sherry said that with 18 games left in the season, there was no time to relax or become complacent.
"All went to plan this weekend, and we're getting better on the things we've been working hard on in practice," he said. "Our freshmen are learning very quickly. Now we've got to go back home and keep working hard."
Weather permitting, Tech will once again take the pitch on Wednesday afternoon as the Techsters travel to Cleveland, Miss., to face Delta State. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. For the most up-to-date info on Lady Techster soccer and all Louisiana Tech athletics, log on to www.latechsports.com.
