In a hard fought battle with a good Louisiana-Lafayette team, the Lady Colonels soccer team lost 2-1 in an exciting overtime match that had the billing of a Hollywood blockbuster.
The game played like a scene out of a sports movie. With seconds left in the game, the score tied 1-1, the Colonels, Hannan Jones got the ball, shot and scored!!
The only problem was the referee called a foul on Jones, the Colonels senior middle fielder for running into the Ragin’ Cajun’s goalkeeper. ULL took the momentum from the regulation period and won the game in overtime with minutes left, on a goal by Tiffany Garber, who scored twice for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
“We had our changes to win the game, we just didn’t put it away,” head soccer coach Jim Zakel said.
Although disappointed by the lost coach Zakel did see many positives from his players.
“I though our offense looked the best it looked all year, the kids are really starting to click and play together offensively. The defensive is good and it will be good, to only give up one goal in 90 minutes against a good Sun Belt team is a good defensive effort as well.” Zakel said.
The Colonels dominating much of the match by taking 24 shots, while the Cajuns only took 11.
“When asked who impressed him with there play Zakel said, Jones was most impressive.
“Hanna Jones had a great effort today,” Zakel said.
Also impressive for the Colonels were junior goalkeeper, Lindsay Bartlett, senior middle fielder Roxanna Gonzalez, senior middle fielder Kim Robison, defender Ashley Bock and junior middle fielder Sebrina Bledsoe.
Gonzalez led the aggressive group of Colonels, who as a group was whistled for 30 fouls in the match.
Overall Zakel walks away knowing that his team can only get better after playing a very good ULL team.
“They walk away knowing, that we won the game, they know that goal should have counted with 40 seconds left, they know they were the better team today. I think it’s going to motivate us, I think we’re OK. Playing Lafayette only serves to make us better because that’s a good team we just played,” Zakel said.
Zakel and his players, walked away from this game with the felling of knowing the win was only a call away from victory.
“I thought we played more as a team today, we’re just getting started, I think we’ll do a lot better,” Jones said.
The Colonels next match will be on September 6 in Mobile, Ala., to take on Mobile before taking on Belhaven on the September 9 in Thibodaux and Drury on the 20th in Denton, Texas at 3p.m.