Aug 24, 2013
LA Tech Game Notes vs. UCA 
RUSTON - The Louisiana Tech soccer team returns to Ruston for their home opener as they host Central Arkansas on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. in what will be the first ever night match played at the Lady Techster Soccer Complex.
LA Tech (0-1) is coming off a grueling 1-0 loss to SEC foe LSU that saw a grand total of 11 freshmen see their first ever collegiate action, including Madison Doll who had a breakout performance with a team-high four shots, two on goal, that all came within a span of 10 minutes in the second period.
"The ladies put so much effort into Friday's game on a big field at LSU that it will be tough to recover adequately for Sundays game, especially for the freshman," said head coach Kevin Sherry. "However, the team has so much heart I know they will give 100 percent.
"We learned so much from Friday's match. We can compete with the big soccer powerhouses and we now have a very good idea where individuals perform best in certain positions. The emergence of Madison Doll, Kathryn Sloan, Alexandra Fiorvento, Charity Simmons and Marjolein Timmermans is very exciting."
The two squads faced each other last season for the very first time with LA Tech coming out victorious in a 1-0 win in Conway, Ark. Forward Rosie Lethbridge was able to slip one past the keeper in the 17th minute for what was the game-winner.
Goalkeeper Caitlin Updyke recorded a season-high nine saves that day to preserve the win.
In Coach Bishop's first year at the helm for Central Arkansas (1-0), he guided the Lady Bears to a 10-7-1 overall record which doubled their win total from the previous year.
The Lady Bears opened the 2013 campaign with a decisive 4-0 win over Mississippi Valley State.
They return their top three goal-scorers led by senior Adriana Lucar, a preseason All-Southland choice, who netted 14 goals last season which was good for 14th in the nation.
The new stadium lights will be the showcase on Sunday night after a four-month project that became in late February is the latest facelift to the five-year old facility.
"The team can't wait to play the first game under the lights on our home field," said Sherry. "There is a real buzz around the team which is very positive."
Sunday's game will also be a chance for the program to fundraise for the 4 Paws Rescue of Ruston which will be the main focus of fundraising efforts this year.
Admission is free to all home soccer matches.
LA Tech All-Access subscribers can listen to and watch a live video stream of the game by logging on through LATechSports.com, the official website of Louisiana Tech Athletics. Live stats will be available through the link provided on the schedule page. Twitter users can get updates of the game as well by following @LATechSOC.
