By: Habtom Keleta-Asst. AD for Media Relations
Box Score MONROE, La. | In the debut of Grambling State head soccer coach
Craig Roberts, the Tigers finally took the pitch for the first time since 2019 and faced the University of Louisiana at Monroe in an I-20 showdown before giving up two second-half goals en route to a 2-0 loss at Brown Stadium in the 2021 spring season opener.
The first half proved to be a back-and forth affair as both teams connected on several passes and made calculated runs, but it was the Tigers defense that shined as starting goalkeeper
Britt Verhees and the stingy Tigers defense gave up no goals despite giving up several corner kicks, including a total of seven shots. However, the back line managed countless offside calls against its opponent, frustrating the Warhawks.
In the second half, the Tigers (0-1 overall, 0-0 SWAC) applied pressure up top and produced a total of five shots, but in the 59th minute of action, second-half goalkeeper
Rachel Pugh allowed the first goal of the season as McKenzie Rizqi broke the scoreless draw. However, in the 82nd minute, junior forward and preseason first-team All-SWAC player
Kailey Pena had the best chance to generate the equalizer as she received a ball in the penalty area (18-yard box) and was inches away from knocking the ball past ULM's goalkeeper before getting tangled up with the keeper.
ULM managed a late goal to seal the deal in the 88th minute of action when Thenia Zervas scored off of a set piece in which Jack was called for a questionable foul just outside the 18 that gave the Warhawks a free kick late in the match.
Pena finished with a team-high two shots (one on goal) while Verhees produced one save for the Tigers.
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