LAFAYETTE, La. - Louisiana secured a 2-1 victory over Old Dominion on Thursday evening at Lamson Park, improving their record to 6-5-4 on the season. The Ragin' Cajuns overcame a second-half equalizer to claim all three points in Sun Belt Conference play before an enthusiastic home crowd.
Miku Kurihara opened the scoring for Louisiana in the 20th minute with an assist from Sisley Stephens, giving the hosts an early advantage. Old Dominion responded in the 50th minute when Koto Davis found the net with help from Hannah Morgan and Ashley Economopoulos to level the match at 1-1. Carson Glenn proved to be the match-winner, scoring in the 64th minute with an assist from Sophia Moore to restore Louisiana's lead and ultimately secure the victory.
The opening 45 minutes belonged to Old Dominion in terms of possession and attacking intent. The Monarchs pressed high and created several opportunities, with Gry Boe Thrysoe registering a shot in the 12th minute that tested Louisiana goalkeeper Natalie Mayes. Andrea Balcazar Algarin received a yellow card for unsporting behavior in the 20th minute, just moments before Louisiana capitalized on their opportunity through Kurihara's clinical finish. Despite Old Dominion's territorial advantage and sustained pressure, the Ragin' Cajuns defended resolutely and took their slim lead into halftime.
Old Dominion emerged from the break with renewed purpose and quickly found their reward. Just five minutes into the second half, Davis struck to equalize with a well-taken finish, bringing the traveling Monarchs level at 1-1. Old Dominion continued to press for a go-ahead goal, but Louisiana's defensive organization held firm through wave after wave of attacks. The home side regained the lead in the 64th minute through Glenn's composed finish after excellent buildup play. The final 26 minutes saw Old Dominion desperately seeking another equalizer, with Ashley Economopoulos testing Mayes in the 77th minute, only to be denied by a crucial save that preserved Louisiana's advantage.
Old Dominion dominated the statistical categories, outshooting Louisiana 10-4 overall and holding a 5-3 advantage in shots on target. The Monarchs also won seven corner kicks to Louisiana's zero, demonstrating their sustained attacking pressure throughout the 90 minutes. However, the visitors' inability to convert their numerous chances into goals proved costly. Louisiana goalkeeper Mayes made four saves compared to just one for Old Dominion's Erin Jones, highlighting the significant defensive workload faced by the home side. Old Dominion's mounting frustration manifested in disciplinary issues, collecting four yellow cards to Louisiana's one, with bookings issued to Balcazar Algarin, Dylan McEntarfer, and Brooke Edwards.
Natalie Mayes delivered a standout performance in goal for Louisiana, making four critical saves to preserve the victory. Her 77th-minute denial of Economopoulos proved particularly crucial as Old Dominion pushed numbers forward in search of an equalizer. For the Monarchs, Gry Boe Thrysoe was a constant attacking threat, recording multiple shots including a blocked effort in the 41st minute. Hannah Morgan contributed both in creating chances and assisting Davis's equalizer, while also registering a shot that sailed high in the 52nd minute. Dylan McEntarfer worked tirelessly in midfield for Old Dominion before receiving a yellow card in the 67th minute for unsporting behavior.
Old Dominion employed a high-pressing system designed to pin Louisiana deep in their own half, evident in their seven corners and 10 shot attempts. The Monarchs' approach created numerous set-piece opportunities but lacked the clinical finishing required to capitalize on their dominance. Louisiana adopted a more conservative approach, absorbing pressure and looking to strike on the counter-attack. This strategy proved effective, with both Louisiana goals coming from quick transitions that caught Old Dominion's defense out of position. The home side's willingness to defend deep and strike when opportunities arose demonstrated tactical discipline and maturity.
For Louisiana, this victory extends their winning streak and represents a significant result against one of the conference's top teams. The Ragin' Cajuns demonstrated the kind of defensive resilience and counter-attacking efficiency that will serve them well as they navigate the remainder of their conference schedule. Old Dominion, carrying an impressive 8-2-4 record into the match, saw their strong form take a hit with this loss. The Monarchs' statistical dominance throughout the match made the defeat particularly frustrating, as they controlled large portions of the game without finding the cutting edge needed to secure points.
Louisiana will look to build on this momentum when they travel to face Troy on October 24th at 8:00 PM. The Ragin' Cajuns have proven they can compete with the conference's elite teams when executing their defensive game plan effectively. Old Dominion returns home to face Arkansas State on October 24th at 8:00 PM, seeking to bounce back from this setback. The Monarchs will need to improve their conversion rate in the attacking third, as creating chances alone proved insufficient in Lafayette. Both teams remain in contention for favorable postseason positioning with several crucial Sun Belt Conference matches remaining on their schedules.