The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns soccer squad is off to its easiest start in years. The team’s first five opponents have racked up an atrocious combined record of 3–13–4 as of Sept. 1.
The Cajuns have taken advantage of their strength over schedule well, earning a 3–0–2 record through those first five matches.
On top of that, the team has played every game at home since their first match in Lake Charles against McNeese. In a press conference on Monday, Aug. 26, Head Coach Chris McBride spoke about the benefit of starting the season with a home stand.
“I think it’s nice to be home after being five in a row on the road last year, so it’s nice to have them back. I think they’re confident, but we’re definitely not over-confident. They know they’ve got some things to work on,” McBride said.
The team’s +6 goal differential through these early matches is carried by a dominant showing against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Aug. 22.
The team got off to a scorching hot start that night, scoring inside of six minutes and extending the lead with a Adeline Nemeth goal in the 11th minute.
When the Raiders cut the lead to 2–1 in the 25th minute, the Cajuns pressed the issue, forcing a corner kick and answering the goal with a Sisley Stephens blast within two minutes.
“It was phenomenal. It was something that we had spoken about,” McBride said.
“When we go down a goal, we have to have some resilience about us.”
The Cajuns continued to completely lock down the Raiders through the second half, and the game would end 5–1.
“It’s not game over as soon as an opponent scores, even if they score first or are trying to get some momentum back in the game, so I was really proud of the character, how they were able to stay composed and still stay driven. We made a couple of subs and those players stepped into their roles and really added to the attack,” McBride said.
“Their energy levels were fantastic in the second half and I really think that’s what propelled us forward.”
Last Thursday’s 1–0 victory against the Northwestern State Demons was defined by the team’s new additions. Aila Swinton, a junior transfer from Kennesaw State, scored the lone goal of the match for the Cajuns.
“We’ve got a lot of people playing new positions this year along with some freshmen that are in the lineup as well, so it’s gonna take some time for those guys to get used to the situations they’re in,” McBride said.
“People are in the right positions, they’re just gonna have that little bit of composure that comes with experience, being in there, and understanding they have more time than what they actually think.”
The Lady Cajuns’ first real test will come this Thursday in Houston against the Rice Owls, who currently stand 4–0 at home, followed by the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge on Sunday, Sept. 8.