COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Louisiana Tech soccer team started off its 2023 season with a bang, netting three goals in route to a 3-1 victory over Colorado College on Thursday night at Stewart Field.
 
LA Tech (1-0-0) got a trio of goals from two defenders – Laura Ogando and Sophie Fijneman – as well as from striker Lauren Egbuloniu.  Meanwhile defensively, the back line held firm and got four quality saves from first-time starter Laerke Holst in goal to topple Colorado College (0-1-0) in the season opener.
 
Ogando, who came in with zero goals scored in 34 career matches played, found the back of the net for the first time as a Bulldog.  On the offensive in the 11th minute, Ogando made a run to the near post where she delivered a one-touch finish from close range on a pass from Kalli Matlock.

.@LauritaO23 with the beautiful one-touch finish for her first career goal and the first goal of the season for the Bulldogs! pic.twitter.com/Nt14TXj64p

— LA Tech Soccer ⚽ (@LATechSOC) August 18, 2023

The Bulldogs had a couple of more chances inside the 18 in the first half, but none of them materialized.  On the other end, the Tigers were limited to just three shot attempts up until the final two minutes before halftime. 
 
The home team delivered a flurry of shots, one of which went off the crossbar and two low shots that Holst was able to make diving saves on to keep LA Tech with a 1-0 advantage at the midway point.
 
That advantage quickly multiplied in the second half when Carmen Suarez played the ball through to Egbuloniu who came in at an angle and hit a low, hard finish under the keeper in the 51st minute.
 
Colorado College got one of those goals back four minutes later, slicing the deficit in half on a goal by Erin Ewers to the upper center part of the net.
 
Clinging to a one goal lead, Fijneman was able to put the match away in the 88th minute when her free kick from the right wing made its way through traffic into the back of the net.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Steve Voltz
 
"We go out of region to get better and to play against quality opposition away from home to test us.  Super proud of our performance tonight.  Two of our defenders scored goals, but we have to get more efficient and clinical in front of goal.  I am proud of Laerke for the saves before halftime to keep us ahead.  The fight in this team, the ability to overcome adversity through preseason, super proud of their effort."
 
NOTABLES

• LA Tech collected its first ever win against Colorado College.The series is now tied 1-1-0.
• The Bulldogs improved to 12-8-1 all-time in season openers.They are 8-1-1 over their last 10 season openers.
• Laura Ogando scored her first career goal as a Bulldog.It was the senior's 35th career game at LA Tech.
• Lauren Egbuloniu netted her sixth career goal.It was also her third career game-winning goal.
• Sophie Fijneman registered her eighth career goal, the most on the team.
• Kalli Matlock was credited with her sixth career assist while Carmen Suarez notched her second career assist.
• Laerke Holst made her first collegiate start in goal, tallying four saves in the victory.
• Josie Studer, Kalli Matlock, and Sophie Fijneman all went the distance for the full 90 minutes.For the CUSA Co-Defensive Player of the Year Studer, it marked the 43rd career time she has done so.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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