RUSTON, La. – Lamar University senior
Marissa Gross converted a second-half penalty kick as the Cardinals earned their first victory of the season with a 1-0 shutout over Louisiana Tech Thursday evening. This was the first win for Big Red over Louisiana Tech in series history.
This also marked the 34th shutout for the Cardinals in the
Nathan Kogut era.
The Cardinals recorded 20 shots in the match, including 10 on goal.
Keely Thomas earned her first career start as a Cardinal and recorded three saves while facing eight shots.
LU took seven first-half shots, with six being on goal. The Bulldogs had a pair of chances to open the scoring in the ninth and 23rd minutes, respectively, but Thomas wouldn't budge and stopped both shots. With time winding down in the half, the Cardinals had a chance, but
Sofia Wilby's shot hit the crossbar as the buzzer sounded.
Thirty seconds into the second half, LU caught a break when
Ekemini Udofa drew a foul in the box. Gross stepped up to convert the penalty kick for LU's first goal of the season. That would spark a 13-shot half for the Cardinals, who spent the final 44 minutes keeping possession on the Tech side of the field. The Bulldogs were unable to convert an equalizer in the 59th minute and were tagged with three yellow cards.
Tech had one last chance to draw level in the 84th minute, but its shot went off target and the Cardinals held on for their second straight shutout.
LU will head to Houston to battle Rice Sunday afternoon at Holloway Field. The match will start at noon and will be streamed on ESPN+.
