RUSTON – On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the Louisiana Tech soccer team celebrated five seniors as well as a 2-0 shutout victory over I-20 foe ULM at the Ruston Sports Complex.
 
And the seniors had a big impact in LA Tech's (9-5) sixth straight victory over its neighbor ULM (4-12). 
 
Senior Elizabeth Doll registered her first goal of the season that proved to be the game winner.  Fellow seniors Klesha Darroux, Amber Posthauer and Gabrielle Parent did the work in the middle.  Then on the back end, senior keeper Maggie Boston kept the Warhawks off the scoreboard.
 
"The players responded magnificently after playing a very tough conference game less than 48 hours earlier," said head coach Kevin Sherry.  "To reset and play despite the physical and mental exhaustion is a testament to the spirit of the team.  The players executed the game plan well, stopping the service to their striker and taking advantage of the gaps in their back line.   
 
"We celebrated the careers of our five seniors and thank them for all of their efforts.  They symbolize what it means to be a Louisiana Tech University soccer player.  They work hard whilst showing a lot of grit and determination.  They have overcome a lot of adversity with the program.  I felt immense pride watching them play today."
 
The Lady Techsters were in full control early on in the match.  Despite maintaining the majority of the possession, the team was struggling to get past the opposing keeper. 
 
After 11 shot attempts and no goal, the 12th attempt just before halftime was on the money.  A free kick was rewarded to LA Tech about 40 yards out just beyond the mid circle in the 42nd minute.  Doll sent a booming kick that cleared the outreached hand of the keeper into the back of the net.
 
The Warhawks started to control more possession in the second half though, which turned into more scoring opportunities.  The visitors recorded seven of their nine shot attempts in the second period within the first 25 minutes and had a couple of shots just miss outside the posts.
 
However, LA Tech got an insurance goal in the 73rd minute after Parent sent a throw-in that was won by Erin Chung.  The freshman gathered control and sent a low, right-footed shot from the top of the 18 inside the near post for her second goal of the season.
 
The Lady Techsters ended up with an 18-14 shot advantage and a 4-1 corner kick advantage.  Six players had multiple shots, led by Sophie Fijneman with four.  Boston posted six saves, notching her third shutout and improving to 4-1.
 
ULM had three players post three shots – Janet Stopka, Victoria Altieri and Thenia Zervas.
 
LA Tech has two matches remaining in the regular season, starting with a trip to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to battle Southern Miss on Sunday, April 4 at 2 p.m.
 
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