RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech soccer team made it a home weekend sweep on Sunday afternoon, getting three goals from three different Lady Techsters to defeat FIU by a final score of 3-1 on James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium.
 
LA Tech (11-1-1, 3-1 C-USA) may be playing on another different pitch, but they continue to own a huge home advantage.  They have won 11 straight at home and are also riding a 15-match unbeaten streak in conference home games.
 
The match was tied at one apiece at intermission with Connor Barker opening up the scoring early in the match, but FIU (2-10-0, 0-5 C-USA) equalizing before halftime.  The Lady Techsters came out more aggressive in the second half, getting the game-winning goal from Autumn Woodard and a late insurance goal by Alpine Williams.
 
"In the first half, the team seemed to forget that they won on Friday through hard work, but we came back in the second half and played well," said head coach Kevin Sherry.  "At the end of the day, you have to trust your players.
 
"This was a huge weekend with two wins.  You always want to look after your home games and one of those was against last year's champion.  This puts us in a good position and we need to build on it."
 
It took only six minutes before LA Tech found the back of the net.  Jaelyn Peeples stepped up and shot a free kick from 25 yards out on target which was initially saved by the FIU keeper, but Barker came charging in and cleaned up the rebound for her third goal of the season.
 
The Panthers gradually became the aggressor and possessed more of the ball in the first period.  That effort played a big part in the equalizer which came in the 31st minute when Rayquel Berry took advantage of a turnover and sent a booming shot from 35 yards and connected.
 
The energy switch flipped back in favor of LA Tech for the entirety of the second half.  And in the 58th minute, it paid off when Hayley Krahenbil possessed the ball in the midfield and sent a perfect long ball up the right flank to Woodard.
 
And for the 15th time this season (most in the country), the striker struck for a goal as she drilled a missile to the far post from inside the box.  With the goal, the sophomore set a new program record for most points in a single season with 34. 
 
She has now scored a goal in 11 of the 13 matches this season, including in all four league games.
 
The Lady Techsters kept pressuring high and would tack on an insurance goal in the 79th minute when Alpine Williams took the left-footed corner kick that went into the six and ricocheted off numerous players before finding the back of the net. 
 
Carlotta Cartelli was credited with one save while picking up win No. 6 this season.  Jaelyn Peeples, Quinn Parks and Kaylee Zettler played the full 90 minutes along with the keeper.
 
Through four league matches, LA Tech sits in a three-way tie for third place in the league standings with nine points.
 
The squad returns to action on Friday, Oct. 11 with a home matchup versus UAB.  Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
 
For all the latest in LA Tech Soccer, follow them on Twitter (@LATechSOC), Instagram (@LATechSOC) and Facebook (LATechSoccer) or visit the official website at LATechSports.com.