Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (0-1-1) look ahead to hosting the UL-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (1-0-0) tonight at 7 p.m. CT at Robert Mack Caruthers Field.
The contest can be seen on ESPN+ with Kyle Roberts and Wally Crittenden calling the action.
Louisiana Tech is coming off a 1-1 draw at home against McNeese with the lone goal scored by freshman Abby Hanton for her first collegiate score dished by Madison Pensom for her first career assist.
With Hanton scoring the opening goal of the match, it marks the first time since 2010 a Bulldog freshman scored the opening goal in the first two matches of the season after freshman Reagan Roberts scored the first goal of the season for the ‘Dogs against Alabama in the season opener.
Taylor Dennis scored the opening goal at Stephen F. Austin and at Lamar to open the season in 2010.
The Bulldogs have ended the previous two matchups with the Cajuns in scoreless draws. The Cajuns took a 2-0 victory in 2020 six years after Tech won at home, 2-0, following a 3-2 victory over UL-Lafayette in Lafayette in 2013. The all-time record between the two programs currently stands at an even 2-2-2 going into Thursday’s match.
UL-Lafayette opened the year with a dominant 4-1 win over Lamar at home. The Cajuns netted four goals from four different players, posting the second-most goals scored in a season opener in program history, as well as the second-largest victory margin to start a season.
The Cajuns are led by head coach Chris McBride, who is in his fourth season at the helm of UL-Lafayette’s soccer program. McBride led the Cajuns to their best season winning percentage in 2024, posting a .550-win percentage on a 7-5-8 record last year.
Salma Elhaimer led the Cajuns with four total shots in the season opener, scoring a goal and dishing an assist while putting two shots in frame in 59 minutes. Amelia Majtczak posted a pair of assists while putting her lone shot in frame in 41 minutes off the bench. Charlotte Hinchey was the only player outside of the goalkeeper to play the full 90.
Natalie Mayes posted three saves and allowed one goal on just five shots faced against the Cardinals.
