Lady Eagle soccer wins big at home

On Labor Day, the Southern Miss Lady Eagle soccer team competed against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks in Hattiesburg, winning their home opener 4-1.

The game, which had been pushed back because of Hurricane Isaac, reflected the skill and teamwork of the Southern Miss soccer team.

The Golden Eagles demonstrated their talent and athleticism with a victory, but there was some concern with how the team would perform after a hectic practice schedule and a week of bad weather.

Head soccer coach Scott Ebke said that despite Hurricane Isaac’s disruption of practice and the Southern Miss soccer tournament, the team performed very well.

“Obviously with the lack of training time over the last week we were a little concerned with how we would fare,” Ebke said.

In front of an audience of nearly 250 people, the team was ready to give their full effort.

“We had a lot of momentum coming in; we were really excited about our first home game,” senior forward Tricia Tillman said after the match.

That momentum greatly helped the Lady Eagles. Even after missing a few days of practice, Southern Miss dominated the game. USM had 30 shots with 12 on goal, compared to Louisiana-Monroe’s three shots with two on goal. Junior forward Danica Roberts scored just under 18 minutes into the game, assisted by senior Jordan Wagner. Southern Miss proceeded to score three more goals: senior Kristen Windecker scored an unassisted goal, Wagner scored unassisted and Roberts scored on a penalty kick.

After the match, Roberts said she was pleased with her team’s performance.

“Everything has kind of come together today with the team,” Roberts said. “We dominated, and we created so many chances, and that’s how I got a couple in the goal.”

The team also excelled defensively. Redshirt junior Lindsey Schwaner, the goalkeeper who clocked into the match in the 81st minute and finished with one save, gave credit to the team’s defensive play.

“It’s because of our defense that I only had to make one save today, so I give it all to them,” Schwaner said.

The Eagles travel to South Alabama on Friday and are scheduled to finish the weekend against rival opponent Mississippi State on Sunday.