RUSTON, La. – The Louisiana Tech women's soccer team took the Conference USA opener inside The Mack 1-0 over Western Kentucky, thanks to
Alma Cedefors' goal in the 71'.
LA Tech (3-5-1) moves to 1-0 in C-USA play and improves to 3-1-1 at home this season.
The game also marked the return of senior captain
Josie Studer who saw her first action of the season after returning from an injury she suffered in the first exhibition game.
Studer went the full 90 minutes in her return along with Fijneman and
Rebecca Lancaster, who got her third start this season.
The defensive side of the ball tonight held Western Kentucky (3-4-2) to just five total shots and only two on goal. Both numbers are a season-low allowed by the Tech defense.
The game was played to a dead-even draw through 70' minutes, with each side only tallying two shots in the match.
After back-to-back saves by
Sydnee Korchak, Tech won a corner kick delivered off the left foot of Fijneman, which found the head of Studer, whose shot was blocked.
An ensuing rebound left the ball within a mass of bodies in the box and eventually found the right foot of Cedefors who pushed the ball past the keeper into the bottom left of the net.
Tech continued to apply pressure and added five more shots, including two near chances from Cedefors. Lady Techsters' defense neutralized the Hilltoppers down the stretch to earn their first 1-0 start to conference play since 2019.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Steve Voltz…
"I think a bit of this feeling is a relief to finally get rewarded for our efforts with a good result. We've battled so hard these last couple of weeks on the road and dealt with so much, we just haven't found the breaks. Tonight, we were able to punch one through coupled with a great defensive effort and beat a very good side in Western Kentucky.
This is how we know we can play. It is a great help to get some players back and be close to full strength. Having Josie back there is a comfort. Getting Erin back, Carmen was back to 100%, all that adds up, and you see what kind of team we can be. It's taken all of us, and every player on the team deserves this one.
We have another great challenge ahead of us with a long flight to El Paso, then travel back across the country to Charlotte, before returning home to face Rice. It won't get any easier. We have to enjoy this but not just think it will happen again on its own. There's lots more to be done ahead, but tonight feels good."
NOTABLES
• LA Tech now leads the all-time series 3-2-0 against WKU and is a perfect 3-0 in games played in Ruston.
• The Lady Techsters sit atop the conference standings with three points alongside Rice and North Texas.
• LA Tech earned their 40
th Conference USA win as a program, now tied for fourth with Charlotte among the league's leaders in wins.
• Tech held WKU to their opponent's season-low in shots (5) and shots on goal (2).
•
Alma Cedefors scored her second goal of the season, the fourth of her career. It was also her second game-winning goal of the season.
•
Sydnee Korchak picked up her third shutout of the season and added two saves to her season total of 35.
•
Sophie Fijneman made her 40
th start in her LA Tech career.
• Fijneman played the full 90 minutes for the seventh time in nine matches this season.
•
Josie Studer and
Rebecca Lancaster went the distance for the first time this season. It was the first 90-minute game in Lancaster's career.
•
Greta Streich made her 20
th appearance for LA Tech.
UP NEXT
LA Tech will head to El Paso to face UTEP on Sunday, Sep. 18 at 2 p.m. for their first Conference USA road match of the season. The game can be seen on CUSATV.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in LA Tech Soccer, follow them on Twitter (@LATechSOC), Instagram (@LATechSoccer), and Facebook (LATechSoccer).
