RUSTON – Louisiana Tech (4-12-2) earned a point in Conference USA play Sunday afternoon, ending the match with the Delaware Blue Hens (10-2-5) in a 1-1 draw at The Mack.
 
In the midst of a Senior Day celebration, senior keeper Cadence Rutledge climbed the ranks of being one of the most notable goalies in Louisiana Tech women's soccer history.
 
With her five saves she now has 126 saves since arriving to Ruston, which ranks fourth all-time for career saves in program history. Her 80 saves also rank as the second-most recorded by a Bulldog senior keeper and seventh-most by any Bulldog keeper in a single season.
 
The Blue Hens struck first in the 17th minute after a pass was delivered into the box from just a few yards out from the 18 and a pass was sent from the right side to the far side of the net to give Delaware a 1-0 lead.
 
Both sides saw a battle of possession throughout much of the first half with limited opportunities taken. Delaware outshot the Bulldogs 7-4 through the first 45 minutes while also putting three shots in frame to Tech's one.
 
Tech saw a shift in momentum in the second half, taking more than three times as many shots as they did before the break with 13. The Bulldogs' 17 shots on the day were the second-most they've taken in a single match this season and was the third time they've recorded at least 15 chances.
 
LA Tech's equalizer came in the 65th minute on Grace Clay's first career goal. The sophomore forward received a backwards header pass from Ashley Leonhart near the center of the field before dribbling past a handful of Delaware defenders and firing her lone shot of the match into the right bin.
 
Leonhart picked up her third assist in the past four matches and the fifth of her career.
 
The Bulldogs now look ahead to opening postseason play for the first time since 2023 when LA Tech hosted the Conference USA Tournament, with tournament play beginning in Lynchburg, Virginia on Sunday, November 2.
 
Head Coach Steve Voltz following Sunday's match:
"It's really about our two seniors today, and we're proud of their contributions throughout their career here and what they have done. Cadence had a fantastic game—what a way to go out on a high note in your last home game, and we can ride that high into the playoffs. Madita had a tough year with injuries, but at the end of the day she supported this group so much off the field as a captain and as a leader. So, her impact didn't get unrecognized, either. We played a great second half, especially showing a lot of heart and grit. This group is exciting and they're young but they're so invested into our program's and each other's success, and that showed again today."
 
Coach Voltz on Cadence's milestones:
"Her hard work showed today. We're good at the goalkeeping position—Cadence has done a fantastic job, and really it's just been a year and a half of playing. Last year she split time quite a bit and this year she's been our everyday starter. Since we've started conference play, we've allowed six goals in eight games and that shows the hard work being put in. She made some crucial saves but also helped out in distribution. She kept the energy high defensively, and I'm just really proud of her effort today."
 
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