Lady Cajuns Soccer 2010

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Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns did their part in the hunt for a Sun Belt Tournament berth on Sunday as they defeated FIU by a final score of 2-1 at home on Sunday.

Arkansas State and UALR also cooperated as both lost road matches, meaning that the Cajuns have clinched their first berth in the postseason tournament since 2007.

The Cajuns (9-10-0, 4-6-0) fell behind within the first five minutes of the match, but responded less than two minutes later to tie the score. The score remained tied, 1-1, until UL netted the game-winner in the 86th minute.

The Cajuns came into the contest in a tie with Arkansas State and just half a game ahead of UALR for the final spot in the Sun Belt Tournament. The Red Wolves (7-9-1, 3-7) lost at North Texas and the Trojans (6-12-1, 2-7-1) lost in overtime at Denver.

In their match, UL allowed an early goal when Kelly Hutchinson scored her first goal of the season for FIU (9-8-1, 6-4-0) in the 5th minute. However, UL didn't waste anytime recording the equalizer as Chelsea Balestra scored her seventh goal of the season in 7th minute off of an assist from Shelby Isley.

The two sides took the 1-1 tie into the halftime break and through much of the second half. However, the Cajuns capitalized on a late free kick in the 86th minute.

After a FIU foul just across midfield, Melissa Minton sent an indirect free kick into box. The ball found the leg of Courtney Hofland who was unable to get a shot off, but Cayla Chatman was there to put the loose ball into the back of the net.

The goal was the fourth of the season for Chatman and the assist was the fourth for Hofland and first for Minton.

"This was a huge win for us," said head coach Scot Wieland. "I was really proud of our complete 90 minute effort and very proud of the way we rebounded from a tough loss on Thursday."

Amanda Moorefield went the distance in the net for UL and made the early goal stand as the only for the Golden Panthers. Moorefield made four saves on the day.

The Cajuns and Golden Panthers each fired off 13 shots, but UL posted seven shots on goal compared to FIU's five.

The Cajuns will return home on Friday for their regular season finale as they host La.-Monroe at 4:00 p.m. UL will also honor its six seniors prior to Friday's match-up.

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[OLF82]

What an intense, 90 minute effort by the U.L. soccer team Sunday! In a crucial game, the team showed great character, rebounding from a heart-breaking loss Thursday night. It's too bad more couldn't have been there to see this. It was inspiring. Thanks to the team from a proud alumnus.

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On senior day, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns posted a historic 6-0 win over La.-Monroe, marking the first 10-win season in school history. That wasn't the only record to fall on Friday afternoon.

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[DieHard1280]

Bravo, ladies!! It looks like we have another program on the rise.

GEAUX CAJUNS!!!

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The ten wins overall for the Ragin' Cajuns was a new best for the program. The five conference wins also tied a program best. Soccer action begins on Wednesday, November 3 with the four first round matches followed by two semifinal matches on Thursday.

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[OLF82]

What an improvement - 10 wins! This team plays so hard in representing U.L. proudly. It was especially cool to see senior Carleigh Martin score her first goal on a pass from Jordan Blevins when Blevins had a clear shot at the goal for herself. Good luck in the conference tournament!

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Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns fell by a final score of 2-1 to the regular season champion Denver Pioneers in the opening game of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Wednesday.

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UL-SI

[OLF82]

Playing an excellent Denver team so well is laudable. Congratulations to the coaches and team on a great season. It's been a pleasure to watch.

[BirdofParadise]

_ Playing an excellent Denver team so well is laudable. Congratulations to the coaches and team on a great season. It's been a pleasure to watch. _

We don't pay a lot of attention to "minor" sports, but soccer has had their best season ever, and volleyball is in the process of its best season in a decade. Great to see the ladies doing well in both sports.

[RaginDave]

_ We don't pay a lot of attention to "minor" sports, but soccer has had their best season ever, and volleyball is in the process of its best season in a decade. Great to see the ladies doing well in both sports. _

I just want to put this loss into perspective, this game was against the #15 ranked nationally Pioneers who are 19-2 overall and now 12-0 in conference.

Their two losses were to #10 overall UCLA and Loyola Marymount. Of their 18 wins they gave up only 10 goals all season and 2 of those were 2-1 victories over UL. They had 11 shutouts.

While our season ended at 10-11, the girls should hold there heads up high, with only 30 minutes to play the Cajuns were tied with one of the best teams in the country and played them neck and neck all game.

They have nothing to be ashamed of, hopefully this will bring confidence going into next season, a season in which this team will return 19 of 24 players from this historic season!!!!!

Geaux Cajuns

PS, the Cajun women VB team is in action tonight trying to clinch a wining seaosn for the first time in a decade!!!

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Rounding out the first team was Louisiana-Lafayette senior midfielder Courtney Hofland. The Scott native helped the Ragin’ Cajuns to their first-ever 10-win season and finished her career as the school’s standard bearer in career assists, points, shots .

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