MIAMI – After a scoreless first half, Louisiana Tech erupted for four second-half goals to defeat FIU, 4-0, on Thursday night at FIU Soccer Stadium.
 
It was a calm first 45 minutes in the match as LA Tech (6-8-3, 2-4-2 C-USA) and FIU (2-12-2, 1-5-2 C-USA) registered just three shots apiece with none finding the back of the net.
 
That changed in the 50th minute for the Lady Techsters.  It all started with Valeria Rios' throw in up the sideline that was controlled by Marcela Gallo.  Gallo then dribbled straight to the end line where she cross it into the box where Anna Loftus charged in and chipped in the left-footed shot from close range.
 
That lead doubled in the 61st minute after Loftus was taken down just outside the box.  Tomoyo Kuroyanagi took the free kick and buried it from 20 yards away.
 
LA Tech made it 3-0 in the 70th minute when Sophie Fijneman sent a through ball to Autumn Woodard who made the short pass to Avery Kyle.  The freshman juked a defender and got her right-footed shot past the goalkeeper for the score.
 
The scoring continued in the 79th minute when Maci Geltmeier fired in a cross into the box where Fijneman chipped in a right-footed shot for the goal. 
 
Meanwhile, Sydnee Korchak and the back line picked up the clean sheet against the Panthers who were coming off a shutout win over East Division champion Old Dominion.
 
QUOTABLES
Interim head coach Steve Voltz
 
"This is the type of performance we have had our eye on all year.  Against a tough defensive team, we were able to score first which then opened things up a little more for us.  It was a good way to send out the seniors.  We have a really good team and feel like we have performed well all year."
 
NOTABLES

• The four goals tied for the most ever scored by LA Tech in a Conference USA match (tied the 4-1 victory over UTSA in 2017)
• The 11 total points was the most ever tallied by LA Tech in a Conference USA match
• It marked the third time this season LA Tech scored at least four goals in a single half (first time ever doing so in a C-USA game)
• Anna Loftus notched her fourth goal of the season, tying for the team lead with Josie Studer
• Tomoyo Kuroyanagi and Sophie Fijneman each registered their first goal of the season
• Avery Kyle netted her third goal of the season
• Sydnee Korchak made her third start of the season in goal, recording a career-high eight saves while notching her second shutout

SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in LA Tech Soccer, follow them on Twitter (@LATechSOC), Instagram (@LATechSoccer) and Facebook (LATechSoccer).