Lady Cajuns Soccer 2008

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 The Cajun women's soccer team and fourth-year head coach Scot Wieland kick off the 2008 season on Aug. 24 at home against Southeastern Louisiana.

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Date	Opponent	Location	Time (CT)
Sun, Aug 24	Southeastern Louisiana	Gator Cove (UL)	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Aug 29	Eastern Washington (Miner Classic)	at El Paso, Texas	3:00 p.m.
Sun, Aug 31	UTEP (Miner Classic)	at El Paso, Texas	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Sep 05	Houston	at Houston, Texas	7:00 p.m.
Sun, Sep 07	Lamar	at Beaumont, Texas	1:00 p.m.
Tue, Sep 09	McNeese State	at Lake Charles, La.	4:00 p.m.
Fri, Sep 12	Louisiana State	Gator Cove (UL)	7:00 p.m.
Sun, Sep 14	Southern Miss	at Hattiesburg, Miss.	2:00 p.m.
Sun, Sep 21	Northwestern State	at Natchitoches, La.	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Sep 26	North Texas *	Gator Cove (UL)	7:00 p.m.
Sun, Sep 28	Denver *	Gator Cove (UL)	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Oct 03	Arkansas State *	at Jonesboro, Ark.	7:00 p.m.
Sun, Oct 05	UALR *	at Little Rock, Ark.	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Oct 10	Florida International *	Gator Cove (UL)	7:00 p.m.
Sun, Oct 12	Florida Atlantic *	Gator Cove (UL)	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Oct 17	Western Kentucky *	at Bowling Green, Ky.	7:00 p.m.
Sun, Oct 19	Middle Tennessee *	at Murfreesboro, Tenn.	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Oct 24	Troy *	Gator Cove (UL)	7:00 p.m.
Sun, Oct 26	South Alabama *	Gator Cove (UL)	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Oct 31	ULM *	Gator Cove (UL)	7:00 p.m.
Nov 5th - 8th	Sun Belt Conference Tournament	at Denton, Texas	TBA

[Rebel02]

What's the Gator Cove??

[lancecajun21]

I think it's the new soccer field right next to Tigue Moore Field.

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 UL - Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns soccer team began preparation for the 2008 season as they officially started practice on Monday, Aug. 11. The Cajuns soccer team will play their first match of the season on Sunday, Aug. 24 as they take on in-state rival Southeastern Louisiana.

The soccer team officially reported back to campus over the weekend. After team meetings, physicals and team photos, the Cajuns took part in the Fan Day on Sunday evening.

Practice officially kicked off the 2008 campaign on Monday morning.

The Ragin’ Cajuns soccer team has improved each year under fourth-year head coach Scot Wieland. The Cajuns set the school record for wins during the 2007 season and became the first team in program history to finish the year with a winning record.

Over the past two seasons, the Cajuns have collected a record 17 wins, including 10 Sun Belt Conference wins.

The season officially starts on Sunday, Aug. 24 as the Cajuns take on in-state rival Southeastern Louisiana at 1:00 p.m. at the Cajuns Soccer Facility.

The Cajuns are set to host nine matches in Lafayette on the year, including seven Sun Belt Conference match-ups.

RaginCajuns.com

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 The warm-up program known as PEP is designed to prevent damage to the vulnerable ligament

The PEP (Prevent Injury, Enhance Performance) program is a formal, 15-minute warm-up for female soccer players that encompasses stretching, strengthening, agility, and plyometrics. (Plyometrics involve jumping and other exercises designed to increase muscles' explosive power.) A recent study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that NCAA Division I players who were asked to perform the program three times a week had an overall ACL injury rate 41 percent lower than a group of female athletes who did their regular warm-up.

"We developed the program to address the deficits that we see in females, especially weakness in the lateral hip muscles, the glutes, and the core muscles," says Holly Silvers, a physical therapist at the Santa Monica (Calif.) Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Group and one of the developers of the PEP program. The details of the program (which is meant to be done in order and in full) can be found here. Some sample exercises, as described in the program:

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By Katherine Hobson

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Callie Oliver & Kelli Jestes are pre-season All-Sun Belt Conference.

NEW ORLEANS, La.–The Sun Belt Conference released its 2008 Sun Belt Preseason Soccer Poll and All-Sun Belt Team Monday, with Denver receiving nine first-place votes by the league’s 12 head coaches. Louisiana’s Kelli Jestes (Fort Collins, Colo.) and Callie Oliver (Texas City, Texas) were both named to the pre-season team.

Jestes posted one of the best seasons in Ragin’ Cajuns soccer history. She led the team with 20 points on the season finishing with the second best single-season performance in school history. Jestes also scored the second-most goals in a single season, netting nine goals in her rookie campaign. She finished the year one goal shy of Stacy Smith’s school record 10 goals set back in 2002 and finished the season with three match-winning goals – the most by a Cajuns’ player in 2007. Jestes scored five goals against state schools, while netting five goals against Sun Belt Conference opponents. She had goals against McNeese State, Grambling State, Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State, UALR, Arkansas State, Western Kentucky, Troy and ULM and also added a pair of assists on the season with helpers against Nicholls State and Troy.

Oliver was name team captain prior to the 2008 season after a tremendous junior season. She played in 19 of the Cajuns’ 21 matches, with 11 starts to her credit and was second on the team with 15 points. Oliver netted five goals, while adding five assists. She had goals against Sam Houston State, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee. Oliver had a season best two assists against UALR with additional assists against Sam Houston States, Houston and Florida Atlantic. She registered 32 shots on the season with 15 shots on goal, posting eight matches with multiple shots, including three matches with multiple shots on goal. Oliver had a season-high four shots against Grambling State, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky, with all four shots against the Blue Raiders being on goal.

The Pioneers received 141 total points, followed by second-place North Texas with 128. Western Kentucky came in third (115), followed by Middle Tennessee (109), FAU (97), Louisiana (78), South Alabama (69), UALR (53) FIU (52), ULM (39), Arkansas State (33) and Troy (22).

North Texas sophomore Kendall Juett was named Preseason Player of the Year after starting all 23 games in 2007, as well as being selected first-team All-Sun Belt. The midfielder ranks in the top 10 all-time in four different offensive categories over her career. She is seventh all-time in assists (20), eighth in shots (141), ninth in points (62) and 10th in goals scored (21). Mean Green senior Brittany Cleveland also landed on the squad.

Denver saw a league-high four players selected to the All-Conference team, including seniors Jessi Keller, a member of last season’s preseason All-SBC team, and Taryn Hemmings the 2006 SBC Player of the Year. Juniors Lizzy Carlson and Mackenzie Snyder were also selected.

The team also consists of forwards Jestes and Oliver, junior Jennifer Threlkeld of Middle Tennessee, Tiara Smith of South Alabama, Janeke Simpkins of FAU and Morgan Thomas of Western Kentucky.

RaginCajuns.com

Chris Whitehead

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 UL - Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns soccer team kicked off the season Sunday with a 5-0 loss to Southeastern Louisiana. It was the first home season opener in the program’s nine-year history.

Home field advantage did not pay off as the 5-0 defeat tied the record for largest margin of defeat at home. The last time that the Cajuns lost by five was against Florida International, by a 6-1 margin in 2000.

Southeastern Louisiana’s goalie Lacy Bockhaus earned the clean sheet for the Lady Lions stopping all four Cajun shots on goal.

Opening the scoring for the Lady Lions was Dana Mayer in the fifth minute off a header in the box, with an assist from Candice Wallace. Kristin McDonald scored her first of two goals in the game off a penalty kick in the 19th minute. The Lady Lions added three more goals in the second half by Candice Wallace (64th minute), Kyle MacIntosh (72nd minute), and Kristin McDonald (79th minute).

The Cajuns goalkeeper Stephanie Weston allowed all five goals but did have eight saves on the day, which gives her a program history-best 192 saves in her career.

Sophomore Carleigh Martin had three shots on goal to lead the way for the Cajuns. The other Cajun with a shot on goal was freshman Katherine Mixon.

Seniors Callie Oliver and Heather Fuller each posted a pair of shots in the match.

The Cajuns record for season openers drops to 1-8, with the win coming in 2003 against Jackson State, 10-0.

The Cajuns take a 0-1-0 record to their next match on Friday, Aug. 28, against Eastern Washington in the Miner Classic in El Paso, Texas. The Cajuns return home Sept. 12 to face in-state rival LSU at 7 p.m.

RaginCajuns.com

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  Heather Fuller scored her first goal as a Cajun, and helped UL to a 1-1 double overtime tie with Eastern Washington.

EL PASO, Texas-Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns soccer team fought for 110 minutes in the first match of the Miner Classic in El Paso, Texas and came away with a 1-1 double-overtime tie with Eastern Washington.

The Cajuns trailed 1-0 at the half, but a goal by Heather Fuller from Kelli Jestes knotted the score at 1-1 and forced overtime. The assist gives Jestes 21 career points in her short career, moving her into a tie for fifth all-time with Stacy Smith (2002) in the Cajuns career annals.

Goalkeeper Stephanie Weston was superb between the posts for the Cajuns. The senior allowed just one goal, while recording seven blocks in the match. Weston blocked the only shot on goal by EWU in the extra frames to preserve the tie.

With the tie, the Cajuns improved to 1-0-3 under head coach Scot Wieland in their second match of the season and have not lost consecutive matches to start a season since the program’s first season in 2000.

UL was out-shot 2-to-0 in the first overtime, but rebounded to hold a 4-to-1 advantage in the second extra period.

The Cajuns held a three-shot advantage during the match, recording 19 shots, compared to 16 by the Eagles. Both teams recorded eight shots on goal, with each goalie recording seven saves each.

Fuller, along with Courtney Hofland, paced the Cajuns with four shots apiece. Chelsi McHenry recorded three shots and led all UL players with two shots on goal.

The Eagles broke the scoreless deadlock in the first half. In the 31st minute of the match, EWU’s April Coffin tapped the ball into an open net as Weston came out to clear the ball.

The Ragin’ Cajuns responded in the second half. Jestes corralled the loose ball in the box and passed it across to Fuller. The senior tied the score at 1-1 with her first goal as a Cajun.

The Cajuns recorded a pair of shots on goal in the second overtime, with Jordan Blevins and Callie Oliver each coming close to the golden goal.

The Cajuns will continue play in the Miner Classic as they take on tournament-host UTEP in a match on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. and live stats will be provided.

RaginCajuns.com

Chris Whitehead

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 UL - The Lady Cajuns women's soccer team will practice on Thursday for the first time since Hurricane Gustav and then head to Houston (2-1) and Lamar (0-2) this weekend. For the second straight weekend the Cajuns will play a pair of games in Texas. The Cajuns (0-2-1) will look for a couple wins in the Lonestar State.

The Lady Cajuns will face Houston on Friday at 7 p.m. This is the the sixth meeting between the Houston Cougars and the Ragin' Cajus. The Cougars hold a series edge with a 4-1 record. Every game in the series has been played in Houston. The Cajuns second opponent is not so familar; it is the first time in school history that the Cajuns will meet the Cardinals from Lamar University. The team will then play Lamar at 1 p. m. on Sunday. Lamar, who is winless on the season, has been out scored 9-0.

The Cajuns Heather Fuller has scored the lone goal for the team this year; in the 1-1 tie to Eastern Washington Aug. 29. She is also the team leader with 11 shots. Kelli Jestes is the other Cajun with points this season, assisting on Fullers' goal.

The Ragin' Cajuns will finish up their five game road trip Tuesday Sept. 9 with a game against McNeese State at 4 p.m. The Cajuns return home Sept. 12 to face in-state rival LSU at 7 p.m.

RaginCajuns.com

[derf]

This season will truly be a test for the players and the coaches. I think current count is 6 starters out with injury. I hope the ladies show lots of character and get some of these wins under their belt. Good luck in Texas. And if you could throw a chicken on the field at Houston, that would be cool.

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Houston - The UL women's soccer team lost 2-0 Friday to the University of Houston (4-1). The Cajuns record drops to 0-3-1 on the season. The Cajuns played their third game in a row in the state of Texas, and so far the Lone Star State has not been a gracious host.

The Houston Cougars got off to a quick start scoring in the 6th minute, when Maegan Kiphart fed Jessica Zavalza for her first of two goals. Her second goal came in the 73rd minute. Houston goalkepper Shelby Scott, who had six saves, and her defense shut down the Cajuns all night.

The Cajuns offense has struggled this season scoring one goal in four matches. The Cajuns offense on Friday managed fourteen shots with six on goal. Heather Fuller led the team with three shots. Chelsea Balestra, Courtney Hofland, Allison Baker and Jordan Blevins had two shots each.

The Ragin' Cajuns continue their Texas two step Sunday against Lamar at 1 p.m. After Lamar the Cajuns will travel to McNeese State Tuesday at 4 p.m.

RaginCajuns.com

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 BEAUMONT, Texas- The Ragin' Cajuns women's soccer team earned their first win of the season beating Lamar University (1-3) 3-1. The Cajuns offense came alive and scored two more goals against Lamar than they had in their previous four games. The win improves the Cajuns record to 1-3-1 on the season.

The Lady Cajuns opened up the scoring in the 26th minute when senior Heather Fuller scored her second goal of the year from 30 yards out. Freshman Kirsten Conway added a goal right before the half ended, to put the Cajuns up 2-0. Her shot from 12 yards out glanced off the a Lamar defender and ended up in the back of the net, it was Conway's first career goal.

The Cardinals responded in the 56th minute when Aline Pugliesi got past the Cajun defense and beat Cajun goalkeeper Amanda Moorefield to bring the Cardinals within one.

Fuller was ejected in the 85th minute earning a red card and forced the Cajuns to play down a man for the rest of the game. It didn't seem to hurt the team as Chelsea Balestra added her first goal of the season in the 89th minute and gave the Cajuns the 3-1 victory.

Goalkeepers Stephanie Weston and Moorefield combined for the win. Weston played the first half and did not allow a goal, Moorefield came in the second half and did give up a goal but the Cajuns still came away with the win.

The Cajuns play again Tuesday when they travel to McNeese State at 4 p.m, but they will have to do it without Fuller, who will miss the game because of her red card. The Cajuns will return home to take on LSU Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.

RaginCajuns.com

Stephen Batcher

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LAKE CHARLES, La.-Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns soccer team fell to 1-4-1 on the season as they dropped a 2-1 decision on the road to in-state rival McNeese State on Tuesday afternoon.

The Cajuns used a second-half goal from sophomore Kelli Jestes to knot the game at 1-1, but a late goal by the Cowgirls secured the victory for the home team.

With the loss, the Cajuns drop to 3-1-2 all-time against McNeese State.

For Jestes, the goal was her first of the season and 10th of her young career. With the goal, Jestes moves into a tie for fourth place all-time with Callie Oliver for points scored with 23. Jestes also ties Stephanie Lynch (2004-07) and Stacy Smith (2002) for third place in career goals.

Louisiana fell behind in the 23rd minute as Kamryn Koch took a pass from Alana Clark and slipped it past the Ragin’ Cajuns goalkeeper Stephanie Weston.

The Cajuns trailed at intermission, but Jestes’ goal in the fourth minute of the second half evened the score at one apiece.

McNeese State’s Ja’Nae Powell secured the win for MSU as she scored off of an assist by Mayra Torres in the 77th minute of the match.

The Ragin’ Cajuns out shot the Cowgirls 23-to-19 in the match and was nearly even in shots on goal (MSU – 10; UL – 9). Both goalies recorded eight saves apiece in the match.

Three Cajuns players recorded three shots in the match – Jestes, Oliver and Allison Baker. Melissa Minton and Oliver were the only two Louisiana players to record multiple shots on goal as they both had two.

The Ragin’ Cajuns soccer team returns home to the Cajuns Soccer Facility on Friday afternoon as they play host to in-state foe LSU. Because of predicted inclement weather in the Lafayette area, the time of the match has been moved up two hours and will kick off at 5:00 p.m. Live stats for the contest will be available on RaginCajuns.com.

RaginCajuns.com

[ulforlife]

This is not good, Cajuns are losing far too many early games and our offense seems to be nonexistent. What's next will be a lopsided loss to LSU on our home turf. Here's hoping no though. The SBC is a good soccer league and conference play won't be any easier.