Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Tech 1, Abilene Christian 0 (Friday)
Louisiana Tech soccer broke a scoreless tie in the 69th minute to defeat Abilene Christian 1-0 inside Robert Mack Caruthers Field Friday night.
“Today was so important for the soul and the heart of this team,” said Tech head coach Steve Voltz. “It took a couple of days to get over a disappointing loss last weekend and dealing with the loss of a teammate to injury. We have had so many chances to make excuses and say things are going our way with injuries and weather but that’s not what they want to do.
“We can show who we are and what we are made of. We are still figuring some things out after a couple of games, but we are excited about another chance to play at home on Sunday. Come out and support these women and we will try to do our part and put on a good show.”
In another humid, rainy home match, LA Tech (2-1-0) and Abilene Christian (1-2-0) played to a stalemate through 45 minutes of action with the two sides combining for only three shots on goal.
Midway through the second half, Tech began to seize some momentum and the chances started to pile up.
In the 68th minute, Alma Cedefors subbed into the game. Just a minute later, a throw-in from Tech deep in Abilene Christian’s territory, Riley Bonadie worked the ball deeper into the Wildcat’s zone.
Bonadie found Caitlin Le Roux for a cross into the box which found the head of Cedefors who put the ball in the back of the net.
From there, Tech took control of the match creating more chances out shooting ACU 9-2 in the second half, and controlled possession over the final 20 minutes to complete the 1-0 victory.
Sydnee Korchak earned the clean sheet in goal for the Techsters picking up her second win of the season and notching four saves in her full 90 minutes of action.
LA Tech 0, UL-Lafayette 0 (Sunday)
Louisiana Tech soccer wrapped up a four-game home stand to open the 2022 season with a 0-0 scoreless draw against UL-Lafayette inside The Mack Sunday afternoon.
“I know it seems like a tie today doesn’t feel like a great result but having to playing two full 90-minute games in three days being short-handed like we are against a fresh team that didn’t play earlier in the week, I’m very proud of the effort we gave today,” said head coach Steve Voltz. “Our players gave us everything they had. Our back four and Sydnee in goal did a great job giving us a chance to win this game.
“Sophie and Laura had to play every minute over the weekend and they have really stepped up for our team. We would have liked to get one through to get the win but I’m happy with the way we played. We’ve gotten better and progressed each game through these first four. We look forward to a couple great tests in Ole Miss and Mississippi State on the road this next week.”
LA Tech’s (2-1-1) best scoring chance of the match came just before half time off the foot of Kalli Matlock when she sent screaming shot from beyond the box that hit the middle of the crossbar. Two rebound chances from Alma Cedefors and Jordan Porter were both blocked.
UL-Lafayette (1-0-2) held a slight advantage in chances at the half, producing five shots to Tech’s three.
Early in the second half, the Ragin’ Cajuns dialed up the pressure earning seven corner chances and led 8-2 over Tech in shots in the final 45 minutes, but sophomore goalkeeper Sydnee Korchak handled every situation with the poise of a veteran.
Korchak finished the match with seven saves, one shy of her career-best, and earned her second clean sheet in as many matches. In her three starts this season, Korchak has a 2-0-1 recrod with 13 saves and has allowed only one goal with a .929 save percentage.
LA Tech finished the opening month with a 2-1-1 record, picking up wins over Murray State and Abilene Christian.
