RUSTON – The Conference USA match between Louisiana Tech and UTEP was not even two minutes old when play was stopped due to lightning. 
 
After a two-hour wait, the Lady Techsters managed to take a two-goal advantage and hang on late to defeat the Miners by a final score of 2-1 late Friday night on a slushy Robert Mack Caruthers Field.
 
Avery Kyle got the scoring started for LA Tech (5-6-1, 1-3-0 C-USA) in the 13th minute, taking possession of the ball outside the corner of the 18 and then dribbling past her defender to send a right-footed shot inside the far post.
 
LA Tech took that one-goal lead into halftime and tacked on another midway through the second half on a converted penalty kick.  The PK, awarded because of a handball in the box by the Miners, was taken by Josie Studer who rocketed a right-footed shot past the keeper.
 
UTEP (3-8-0, 1-3-0 C-USA) sliced its deficit in half though in the 74th minute when Kam Fisher made a run down the left flank, then crossed it to the far post where Vic Bohdan laid it in from close range.
 
The LA Tech defense stood tall the rest of the way to secure their first C-USA victory of the season and the three points that go along with it.
 
QUOTABLES
Interim Head Coach Steve Voltz
 
"We have to embrace who we are.  We are a high-energy bunch.  The commitment to the cause of what we are trying to do is unreal.  They came out of the lightning delay even more fired up than when we were about to start the game.  On a ground this wet, anything can happen.  We took care of business even when UTEP put one in late.  We stayed composed and now we are back in the hunt."
 
NOTABLES

• LA Tech improved to 4-2-1 versus UTEP.The Lady Techsters remained undefeated at home versus the Miners who now own a perfect 4-0-0 record.
• Josie Studer, Laura Ogando and Libe Banuelos played the full 90 minutes for the Lady Techsters.Studer and Banuelos have played every minute of the four conference matches.
• Libe Banuelos picked up her third victory of the season in net while being credited with three saves.
• Avery Kyle netted her second goal of the season, taking a season-high three shots.The freshman also scored in the season opener versus East Texas Baptist.
• Josie Studer notched her third goal of the season, tying her for the team lead.It came on a penalty kick, which was the first one of the season for LA Tech.
• Sophie Fijneman took a season-high and game-high five shot attempts, two coming on goal.

UP NEXT
LA Tech returns to Robert Mack Caruthers for a non-conference matchup against Southeastern on Sunday, Oct. 3.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on CUSA.tv.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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