MONROE, La. --- The ULM soccer team will look to make it four in a row to start the 2008 season on Friday when it travels to Franklin, Tenn. to take on the host-Bruins in the opening round of the Belmont Invitational at 4 p.m.
Already off to the best start in program history, the Warhawks will look to remain the lone squad in the Sun Belt without a loss or tie when they face Belmont (4-2) in the tournament's opening round.
“This is going to be a great tournament against some strong teams in our region,” ULM head coach Stacy Lamb said. “Belmont and Murray State are physical, defensive-minded teams that have been able to capitalize on their opponents mistakes. Our girls are excited about the opportunity to finally get in a normal rhythm after having so many games cancelled early. We are excited about the opportunity to play for a tournament championship.”
Belmont (4-2) saw its season-high three-match win streak snapped against Evansville on Wednesday night. With a strong defense anchored by goalkeeper Sari Lin's 0.51 goals against average, the Bruins have had all six matches decided by a single goal. BU has a 1-0 win against Middle Tennessee and a 1-0 overtime loss against Vanderbilt under their belts.
Of the team's six goals on the season, four have been scored by Annie Musacchio.
Murray State (3-3) also enters the tournament after seeing a three-match win streak halted in their last game. The Racers are led by a trio of goals from both Rachel Wright and Kalli McCoy and will face SBC-foe Western Kentucky in the tournament's other first round game.
A scheduling conflict with the presidential debates on the Belmont campus has moved the tournament's opening game to the field at Battle Ground Academy, Lamb's prep alma mater. During the summer of 2007, Lamb became the first woman ever elected into her school's Hall of Fame.
ULM (3-0) downed Centenary College on Tuesday night to remain undefeated on the season. Freshmen Maddy Ocon and Stacey Carmack scored the first goals of their careers while junior Mallory George recorded her second shutout of the season between the posts.
ULM and Belmont have never faced on the soccer pitch. The Warhawks and Racers met during the 2005 season with ULM claiming a 1-0 win in Martin, Tenn.
