TROY, ALABAMA - Miku Kurihara needed just 7 minutes and 22 seconds to write the story of Louisiana's dominance, slotting home Charlotte Hinchey's precise through ball before a crowd of 247 fans at Trojan Field, propelling the Cajuns to an 8-0 victory that continued their two-match winning streak and extended Troy's losing skid to three games.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became a relentless assault on the Troy defense, with Kurihara adding two more goals before halftime to give Louisiana a commanding 4-0 lead. The forward's 26th-minute strike came from her own efforts, while her third goal of the match, in the 30th minute, was assisted by Sydney Byrnes' incisive cross. Tori Bockstadter made it 4-0 just before the half-hour mark, and Carson Glenn added another on the stroke of halftime, assisted by Raegan Latiolais' weighted pass.
The first half was characterized by Louisiana's aggressive pressing and swift counter-attacks, which left the Troy defense struggling to cope. Kurihara's hat-trick before halftime was a testament to her clinical finishing and the team's ability to create scoring opportunities through their coordinated movement. In contrast, Troy managed only two shot attempts in the first 45 minutes, neither of which tested Louisiana's goalkeeper.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Louisiana continuing to dominate possession and create scoring chances. Kurihara added her fourth goal of the match in the 50th minute, before Salma Elhaimer scored twice in the 55th and 61st minutes, assisted by Carson Glenn and Miku Kurihara respectively. Troy's defense was unable to withstand the pressure, and their inability to mount a meaningful counter-attack was epitomized by their meager five shot attempts across the entire match.
The statistical ledger reveals a stark contrast between the two teams' performances. Louisiana outshot Troy 19-9 overall and held a commanding 14-5 advantage in shots on target, with their goalkeeper making only five saves compared to Troy's six. The Cajuns also controlled the corner-kick battle, earning two opportunities to Troy's seven, although neither team capitalized on their set-piece chances.
The victory represents more than three points for Louisiana, who improved their record to 7-5-4 overall and 4-2-3 in conference play. The win continues their momentum heading into their next match against ULM. For Troy, the loss extends their losing streak to three games and drops their record to 5-8-3 overall and 0-6-3 in conference play. They will look to regroup against South Alabama in their upcoming fixture.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that the afternoon belonged to Louisiana—and specifically to Miku Kurihara, whose four-goal performance will be a confidence booster for the team. The Cajuns' attacking prowess was on full display, and their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities will be crucial as they continue their conference campaign.
Key Players:
Miku Kurihara (Louisiana) – Scored four goals, including a hat-trick in the first half, showcasing her clinical finishing and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Charlotte Hinchey (Louisiana) – Provided the assist for Kurihara's opening goal and demonstrated intelligent movement throughout the match.
Carson Glenn (Louisiana) – Scored one goal and provided two assists, highlighting her creativity and vision on the field.
Sydney Byrnes (Louisiana) – Assisted Kurihara's third goal with a precise cross, demonstrating her ability to pick out teammates in scoring positions.