Thursday, August 31
Waco, Texas
7PM
Baylor
2-1-1, 0-0-0
3
vs
0
Louisiana Tech
2-2-1, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Louisiana Tech
0
0
0
Baylor
1
2
3
SOC Shuts Out Louisiana Tech in Home Opener, 3-0
8/31/2023 10:45:00 PM | Soccer
By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
Home for the first time this season, Baylor soccer gave its fans a lot to cheer for in Thursday night's 3-0 shutout victory over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
Michelle Lenard just wanted to see the fireworks start a little earlier.
"I felt like we definitely dominated the majority of the game," said Lenard, whose team improved to 2-1-1 with its first home-opening win in four years. "I think we could have been a little hungrier earlier in the game and made it a little bit more exciting for our fans in the first half. And that'll be our priority the next game. But certainly, always happy to have a win."
The Bears dominated in all phases, outshooting the visiting Bulldogs (2-2-1), 18-7, finishing with an 11-3 edge in shots on goal and corner kicks and playing the game on Louisiana Tech's end of the field most of the night.
But the two teams were locked in a scoreless tie for 43 minutes before freshman Theresa McCullough had a run down the near side and crossed to senior Ashley Merrill, who blasted in her second goal of the season and 38th of her career.
"Ashley is always a goal-scoring threat and always hungry," Lenard said. "She's never one I have to tell to take more chances. Ashley will take chances."
Even with a 1-0 halftime lead, Lenard said she "challenged them a little bit to take those one-on-one opportunities and be a little more decisive around the box. And I thought it was much better in the second half."
"We need to be more assertive around the 18-yard box, take our chances there, take players on," she said. "And we have players that are fully capable of that. I think it's hard for us sometimes to find the balance between taking our chances and being patient. Sometimes, when you're caught and trying to make the right decision, you'll be a little bit indecisive and that can lead to taking a little bit too much time."
The Bulldogs nearly tied it up less than a minute later, but goalkeeper Ashlee Zirkel made a diving stop of a shot in the box by Flavie Dube.
"Most of the opportunities they had came from counter-attack moments in the midfield, where we had some sloppy turnovers," Lenard said. "We will be punished for that if we continue to make those types of mistakes in the midfield. But our defense did its job. If we had been scored on, I don't even think it would have been their fault. That would have been on the midfielders. We've got to make sure that we really protect the ball in the midfield."
Accepting Lenard's halftime challenge, the Bears netted two more goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half to put this one away.
"Obviously, we came off pretty slow," said TCU transfer Tyler Isgrig. "It just wasn't really connecting, especially in the attacking third. But after halftime and after we changed some things tactically, I think it was just more comfortable."
After being stuffed by Louisiana Tech goalkeeper Emma Duguay in a one-on-one opportunity barely seven minutes into the second half, fifth-year senior forward Jenna Patterson took a pass from Isgrig and knocked a shot into an empty net when Duguay came out to challenge again.
"It felt really good," Patterson said. "First, not only home goal, but first goal of the season (and first at Baylor). It is unfortunate that it did take us so long to get going, but once we did, obviously you could see the potential and what we have there."
Less than 10 minutes later, Isgrig got into the scoring act, taking a pass from freshman Callie Conrad and blasting it in from just outside the 18-yard box.
"I started playing more free and really dropping into the midfield more, and that's how I was able to slip Jenna in on the second goal," said Isgrig, who took over the team lead in points (6) with two goals and two assists. "And then, I'm a left winger, and I came all the way to the right side of the box to receive it. In that moment, I just saw the space and looked up and took my shot."
Louisiana Tech's best scoring chance came in the 67th minute, when second-half BU goalkeeper Makinzie Short dove to deflect a shot to the near post by Josie Studer.
"We'd like to continue playing them both," Lenard said of splitting time with Zirkel and Short. "They're both playing well, we need them both. And God forbid, if somebody were to get injured, we want to make sure we have a second one ready to go."
Going back on the road for the fourth time in its first five games, Baylor will face Butler (2-3-0) at 12 p.m. CT Sunday in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over IUPUI on Thursday and are 2-1 at home.
"It's great to be at home," Lenard said. "There's no better place to play than here (at Betty Lou Mays Field). The weather's nice this time of the night. Great turnout; we loved having the band out here. We want to continue to get people in the community and Baylor out to our games, because we think we have a fun team to watch play."
THE RUNDOWN
WACO, Texas – Baylor soccer shut out the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 3-0, Thursday night at Betty Lou Mays Field.
The Bears had three different Bears record goals and also got assists from three different players.
Louisiana Tech kept Baylor on its toes for much of the first half until Ashley Merrill was able to find the back of the net in the 44th minute. On a cross from freshman Theresa McCullough, Merrill laced a shot in to give the Bears the 1-0 advantage going into halftime.
Coming out strong in the second half, Tyler Isgrig, Jenna Patterson and Hallie Augustyn all had good looks in the first 11 minutes before Patterson netted her first goal of the season with an assist from Isgrig.
Just nine minutes later, Isgrig herself scored the Bears' third goal, with Callie Conrad picking up her second assist of the season.
The Baylor defense was on lock for the rest of the game, only allowing one shot from the Bulldogs that forced second-half starter Makinzie Short into a diving save.
Ashlee Zirkel started the game in goal, splitting time with Short, and picked up two first-half saves while facing six shots.
Baylor starts the 2023 home slate with a win for the first time since 2019, when the Bears defeated Northwestern State, 4-2.
HIGHLIGHTS
Michelle Lenard on the game …
"Happy with the outcome, happy that we scored three quality goals. I felt like we definitely dominated the majority of the game. Would like to see us get an earlier start on scoring goals. Think that we could have scored earlier and more. In the second half, now we're needing to rotate players and think about our next game. Which is a great opportunity for a lot of players to get some good minutes. But I think we could have been a little hungrier earlier in the game and made it a little bit more exciting for our fans in the first half. And that'll be our priority next game. But certainly, always happy to have a win, especially at home."
Jenna Patterson on her goal …
"Well, it felt really good. First, not only home goal, but first goal of the season, and counting last season for me, so that was that was really nice. It is unfortunate that it did take us so long to get going, but once we did, obviously you could see the potential and what we have there. So hopefully, to be able to next game, start off with the energy that we came into the second half with, and I think that's what we're looking to do."
Tyler Isgrig on her goal …
"Yeah, I mean, obviously like we came off pretty slow. It just wasn't really connecting, especially in the attacking third and just going up the field. It just wasn't connecting up top, but after halftime and after we changed some things tactically, I think it was just more comfortable. For me, I started playing more free and really dropping into the midfield more, and that's how I was able to slip Jenna in on the second goal. Then, I'm a left winger, and I came all the way to the right side of the box to receive it and, in that moment, I just saw the space and looked up and took my shot."
WHAT'S NEXT
The Bears will head to Indianapolis, Ind., to face Butler on Sunday, Sept. 3, at 12 p.m. CT.
- BaylorBears.com -
Baylor Bear Insider
Home for the first time this season, Baylor soccer gave its fans a lot to cheer for in Thursday night's 3-0 shutout victory over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
Michelle Lenard just wanted to see the fireworks start a little earlier.
"I felt like we definitely dominated the majority of the game," said Lenard, whose team improved to 2-1-1 with its first home-opening win in four years. "I think we could have been a little hungrier earlier in the game and made it a little bit more exciting for our fans in the first half. And that'll be our priority the next game. But certainly, always happy to have a win."
The Bears dominated in all phases, outshooting the visiting Bulldogs (2-2-1), 18-7, finishing with an 11-3 edge in shots on goal and corner kicks and playing the game on Louisiana Tech's end of the field most of the night.
But the two teams were locked in a scoreless tie for 43 minutes before freshman Theresa McCullough had a run down the near side and crossed to senior Ashley Merrill, who blasted in her second goal of the season and 38th of her career.
"Ashley is always a goal-scoring threat and always hungry," Lenard said. "She's never one I have to tell to take more chances. Ashley will take chances."
Even with a 1-0 halftime lead, Lenard said she "challenged them a little bit to take those one-on-one opportunities and be a little more decisive around the box. And I thought it was much better in the second half."
"We need to be more assertive around the 18-yard box, take our chances there, take players on," she said. "And we have players that are fully capable of that. I think it's hard for us sometimes to find the balance between taking our chances and being patient. Sometimes, when you're caught and trying to make the right decision, you'll be a little bit indecisive and that can lead to taking a little bit too much time."
The Bulldogs nearly tied it up less than a minute later, but goalkeeper Ashlee Zirkel made a diving stop of a shot in the box by Flavie Dube.
"Most of the opportunities they had came from counter-attack moments in the midfield, where we had some sloppy turnovers," Lenard said. "We will be punished for that if we continue to make those types of mistakes in the midfield. But our defense did its job. If we had been scored on, I don't even think it would have been their fault. That would have been on the midfielders. We've got to make sure that we really protect the ball in the midfield."
Accepting Lenard's halftime challenge, the Bears netted two more goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half to put this one away.
"Obviously, we came off pretty slow," said TCU transfer Tyler Isgrig. "It just wasn't really connecting, especially in the attacking third. But after halftime and after we changed some things tactically, I think it was just more comfortable."
After being stuffed by Louisiana Tech goalkeeper Emma Duguay in a one-on-one opportunity barely seven minutes into the second half, fifth-year senior forward Jenna Patterson took a pass from Isgrig and knocked a shot into an empty net when Duguay came out to challenge again.
"It felt really good," Patterson said. "First, not only home goal, but first goal of the season (and first at Baylor). It is unfortunate that it did take us so long to get going, but once we did, obviously you could see the potential and what we have there."
Less than 10 minutes later, Isgrig got into the scoring act, taking a pass from freshman Callie Conrad and blasting it in from just outside the 18-yard box.
"I started playing more free and really dropping into the midfield more, and that's how I was able to slip Jenna in on the second goal," said Isgrig, who took over the team lead in points (6) with two goals and two assists. "And then, I'm a left winger, and I came all the way to the right side of the box to receive it. In that moment, I just saw the space and looked up and took my shot."
Louisiana Tech's best scoring chance came in the 67th minute, when second-half BU goalkeeper Makinzie Short dove to deflect a shot to the near post by Josie Studer.
"We'd like to continue playing them both," Lenard said of splitting time with Zirkel and Short. "They're both playing well, we need them both. And God forbid, if somebody were to get injured, we want to make sure we have a second one ready to go."
Going back on the road for the fourth time in its first five games, Baylor will face Butler (2-3-0) at 12 p.m. CT Sunday in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over IUPUI on Thursday and are 2-1 at home.
"It's great to be at home," Lenard said. "There's no better place to play than here (at Betty Lou Mays Field). The weather's nice this time of the night. Great turnout; we loved having the band out here. We want to continue to get people in the community and Baylor out to our games, because we think we have a fun team to watch play."
THE RUNDOWN
WACO, Texas – Baylor soccer shut out the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 3-0, Thursday night at Betty Lou Mays Field.
The Bears had three different Bears record goals and also got assists from three different players.
Louisiana Tech kept Baylor on its toes for much of the first half until Ashley Merrill was able to find the back of the net in the 44th minute. On a cross from freshman Theresa McCullough, Merrill laced a shot in to give the Bears the 1-0 advantage going into halftime.
Coming out strong in the second half, Tyler Isgrig, Jenna Patterson and Hallie Augustyn all had good looks in the first 11 minutes before Patterson netted her first goal of the season with an assist from Isgrig.
Just nine minutes later, Isgrig herself scored the Bears' third goal, with Callie Conrad picking up her second assist of the season.
The Baylor defense was on lock for the rest of the game, only allowing one shot from the Bulldogs that forced second-half starter Makinzie Short into a diving save.
Ashlee Zirkel started the game in goal, splitting time with Short, and picked up two first-half saves while facing six shots.
Baylor starts the 2023 home slate with a win for the first time since 2019, when the Bears defeated Northwestern State, 4-2.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Bears had 21 players see action
- Ashley Merrill and Tyler Isgrig scored their second goals of the season, they both lead the team in goals
- Isgrig also recorded her second assist of the season
- Jenna Patterson scored her first goal of the season
- Callie Conrad tallied her second assist of the season, while Theresa McCullough notched her first
- Salma Simonin and Claire Kniss saw their first playing time this season
- The Bears out-shot the Bulldogs, 18-7
- 11 different Bears recorded shots
- Ashley Merrill led the way with four shots, two on goal, while Patterson and Isgrig each got off three
- 11 of BU's 18 shots were on goal
Michelle Lenard on the game …
"Happy with the outcome, happy that we scored three quality goals. I felt like we definitely dominated the majority of the game. Would like to see us get an earlier start on scoring goals. Think that we could have scored earlier and more. In the second half, now we're needing to rotate players and think about our next game. Which is a great opportunity for a lot of players to get some good minutes. But I think we could have been a little hungrier earlier in the game and made it a little bit more exciting for our fans in the first half. And that'll be our priority next game. But certainly, always happy to have a win, especially at home."
Jenna Patterson on her goal …
"Well, it felt really good. First, not only home goal, but first goal of the season, and counting last season for me, so that was that was really nice. It is unfortunate that it did take us so long to get going, but once we did, obviously you could see the potential and what we have there. So hopefully, to be able to next game, start off with the energy that we came into the second half with, and I think that's what we're looking to do."
Tyler Isgrig on her goal …
"Yeah, I mean, obviously like we came off pretty slow. It just wasn't really connecting, especially in the attacking third and just going up the field. It just wasn't connecting up top, but after halftime and after we changed some things tactically, I think it was just more comfortable. For me, I started playing more free and really dropping into the midfield more, and that's how I was able to slip Jenna in on the second goal. Then, I'm a left winger, and I came all the way to the right side of the box to receive it and, in that moment, I just saw the space and looked up and took my shot."
WHAT'S NEXT
The Bears will head to Indianapolis, Ind., to face Butler on Sunday, Sept. 3, at 12 p.m. CT.
- BaylorBears.com -
Team Stats
LAT
BAY
Goals
0
3
Shots
7
18
Shots on Goal
3
11
Saves
8
3
Corners
3
11
Fouls
9
11
Scoring Plays
Ashley Merrill (2)
Assisted By: Theresa McCullough
GOAL by BAY Merrill, Ashley Assist by McCullough, Theresa.
43:04
Jenna Patterson (1)
Assisted By: Tyler Isgrig
GOAL by BAY Patterson, Jenna Assist by Isgrig, Tyler.
55:28
Tyler Isgrig (2)
Assisted By: Callie Conrad
GOAL by BAY Isgrig, Tyler Assist by Conrad, Callie.
64:53
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
D
/ SoccerF
/ SoccerF
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
MF
/ SoccerMF
/ SoccerF
/ Soccer
GK
/ Soccer
MF
/ Soccer
GK
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