Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Madison Pensom recorded a second-half hat trick Sunday afternoon to lead Louisiana Tech to a 3-2 win over ULM at Robert Mack Caruthers Field.
The victory was the first Sun Belt Conference win in program history for the Bulldogs (3-7-2, 1-2-1 SBC) and also marked their first home victory of the season and first home win under head coach Matt Lodge.
ULM (3-9-1, 0-4) took a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute on a goal by Ines Casanova De Lope and carried the advantage into halftime.
But Pensom and the Bulldogs needed less than eight minutes in the second half to completely turn the game around.
“We made some adjustments at halftime and scored three goals within eight minutes,” Lodge said. “That’s what we are capable of.”
Pensom tied the game in the 51st minute after Abby Hanton beat a defender, dribbled into the box and found Pensom, who scored with her left foot.
Seven minutes later, Pensom struck again, heading in a cross from Reagan Roberts to give Tech a 2-1 advantage.
Just 40 seconds later, Pensom completed the hat trick. Roberts played a through ball to Hanton, who sent a pass into the middle of the box for Pensom to finish and give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead.
“Credit to Madison Pensom,” Lodge said. “I’m happy to give her the game ball, even if I have to buy one out of my own pocket. She’s now at six goals for the year, which triples our top scorer from last season. We want to continue making those steps forward.”
Pensom’s hat trick was the first by a Louisiana Tech player since 2019, when Amber Posthauer and Autumn Woodard both accomplished the feat in a 15-0 victory over Alcorn State. Pensom finished with career highs of three goals and five shots on goal and now has six goals this season.
Hanton tied a career high with two assists, while Roberts recorded a career-best two assists.
ULM cut the deficit to 3-2 on a goal by Charli Harris but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Tech goalkeeper Mackenzie Lorkowski finished with eight saves, giving her 93 for her career and moving her into ninth place on the Bulldogs’ career saves list.
The win also gave Tech an early advantage in the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown between the two schools.
“I knew that with it being the first match of the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown it would be a big game,” Pensom said. “I just wanted to win this for our school and this team. I’m so proud and so thankful for my teammates because none of my goals are possible without them.
“It feels so good to put three in the back of the net, and I can’t wait for this team to continue to grow in Sun Belt play.”
Louisiana Tech returns to action Thursday when the Bulldogs travel to Troy, Alabama, to face the Trojans at 7 p.m.
