RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech soccer team notched three goals in the first period and had to hold off a stingy UTSA team for a 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon at the Lady Techster Soccer Complex.
 
Freshman Connor Barker was goal hunting again, registering two goals on the day, while junior Jaelyn Peeples delivered a corner kick goal to give LA Tech (11-5-1, 4-3-1 C-USA) the three-goal advantage.
 
UTSA (5-8-1, 1-5-1 C-USA) did not back down though, recording back-to-back goals in the span of three minutes to get to within one.  However, the Lady Techsters held off the Roadrunners the final 27 minutes to secure the three league points and extend their home-winning streak to seven.
 
"You have to credit UTSA for not giving up," head coach Kevin Sherry said.  We kind of relaxed which is only natural, but when the pressure was on at 3-2 they stepped up again.  I am proud of the way the team stood tall for the last 25 minutes. 
 
"I am proud that we were able to win in the heat because we have struggled with our fitness levels this season.  It was a big step."
 
In the 19th minute, Barker made a run at the far post.  Finding her there was senior Nomvula Kgoale who dribbled into the box on the right flank and crossed it to Barker who had the one-touch goal. 
 
Almost the exact same scenario happened in the 34th minute.  This time it was senior Makenna Johnson who had made her way up top from her usual back line position.  She possessed the ball near the end line and shot a cross into the six where Barker who on the spot for another goal, her third in two games.   
 
"Connor has come on leaps and bounds," Sherry said of his forward.  "She has a striker's instinct and because of that she did really well this weekend."
 
With the Lady Techsters playing more defensive in protecting the three-goal advantage, the Roadrunners pushed forward and eventually struck in the 61st minute.  After a foul, Marianne Hernandez stepped up and took a free kick from 25 yards out straight on and scored. 
 
Then UTSA made it a new game in the 64th minute after a corner kick was initially cleared out by LA Tech.  However, Rebekah Kensing chipped it high back into the six where Melissa Finley headed it over the keeper for the goal. 
 
With the pressure on, LA Tech managed to find an extra gear and battle all the way until the clock struck 90 minutes for the much-needed victory.
 
The Roadrunners had a 19-11 shot advantage in the match.  Ten of the Lady Techsters 11 shots came from Kgoale, Barker and Peeples.  Goalkeeper Courtney Tompkins got her second straight win, recording a season-high eight saves.
 
LA Tech now has two conference games remaining over the next two weeks.  The first of the two will take place on Sunday, Oct. 21 when they play at Marshall.  Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT.
 
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