The Lady Lions continued their winning ways, defeating Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) and Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL) to begin a six game home stand.
On Friday, the Lady Lions defeated ULM 3-0 for their first win at home of the season. However, the Lady Lions were tested often in the 4-2 win against ULL in the Sunday contest.
“This one was a really big one to win,” said senior forward Maiya Cooper after the win on Sunday. “We lost to them last year, so it was key to set a tone in this game and keep going off of it.”
The game was back and forth in the first half, as the Ragin’ Cajuns found the net first in the ninth minute. The Lady Lions found an equalizer from a cross, eventually put in by freshman midfielder Cheyenne Maxwell in the 18th minute. The Ragin’ Cajuns retook the lead 10 minutes later, after senior goalkeeper Lacey Bockhaus saved one shot, but could not keep the rebound from going in.
During the first half, head coach Blake Hornbuckle made a change in formation that would prove to be the difference in the second half.
“We had a system change about 18 or 19 minutes in,” said Hornbuckle. “I think it made a really big difference in the game. That was the catalyst that put them under a lot of pressure and turned the momentum our way.”
The Lady Lions came back with a flurry of goals. Cooper got the second equalizer in the 54th minute, breaking away from the defense with a through ball from freshman midfielder/forward Kayla Vera.
“We thought that everyone was kind of down in the first half, after they had scored that first goal, but then once we got our momentum up in the second half, it was just ‘Go get’em!’ after that,” said Cooper. “We just have to keep picking up on that, use this as a go to game for the next couple of games that we play, and we’ll have them in the bag.”
With a senior laden team, Vera has proven to be a key component early in the season. She scored her first goal for Southeastern in the victory over ULM and now has three goals and three assists for the season.
“I think I fit in well,” said Vera. “It’s very hard to compete out here with so many seniors, so it’s a battle every day. We’ve been clicking really well together, doing a lot of combinations up top.”
Super sub Jen Babcock, a sophomore midfielder, got the winner for the Lady Lions, scoring off of a rebound in the 77th minute.
“It was exciting; I’ve been waiting and working hard for it,” said Babcock. “It was nice to come off of the bench and score a goal.”
Overall, the offense is starting to find their finishing touch. After the home loss to Southern Mississippi, Hornbuckle said that it was the final third where the Lady Lions were lacking. Now the ball is starting to find its way into the back of the net.
“Just repetition,” said Hornbuckle. “And finding a way to unlock the other team and get it into the goal.”
The Lady Lions face Mississippi Valley State on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Louisiana Tech on Sunday at 1 p.m.