In the final home match of the season for the Golden Eagles soccer team (6-8-1, 3-4-1 SBC), the team hosted the ULM Warhawks (9-2-5, 4-1-3 SBC) and also celebrated Senior Day, recognizing the seniors of the team.
The Golden Eagles began the match with an impressive pace. At the 18:33 mark, freshman midfielder #24 Chloe Taylor scored an unassisted goal, igniting the crowd at the Soccer Complex and giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
During the first half, the Golden Eagles displayed dominance on both offense and defense, preventing the opposing Warhawks from scoring. The team extended their lead at the 31:39 mark when junior midfielder #11 Adaira Nakano scored, assisted by freshman forward #3 Abby Badurak. At halftime, the Golden Eagles led 2-0, marking the first time this season that ULM trailed in a conference match.
The second half was less than ideal for the Golden Eagles, as the Warhawks made a strong comeback. At the 48:10 minute mark of the second half, Warhawk #3 Emelie Kobler, assisted by Inge Konst, scored, narrowing the score to 2-1. Later, at the 73:43 mark, the Warhawks tied the game 2-2 when #2 Lena Goppel scored, assisted by Libby Holmes. Despite the best efforts of both teams, they couldn’t break the deadlock, resulting in a draw. ULM outshot the Golden Eagles 12-6, and Alex Helbling made four saves to the Warhawks’ one.
Despite the bittersweet ending for the Golden Eagles, who now hold a season record of (6-8-2, 3-4-2 SBC), the day was still one to remember as the seniors of the team were recognized for their scholastic and athletic achievements this season. Seniors GK Alex Helbling, #4 Esmeralda Figueroa, #9 Emilie Torres, #15 Isold Runardottir, and #20 Tay Collum were joined by their families and teammates as they celebrated their accomplishments.
Emilie Torres reflected on her career at USM as well as her plans after graduation.
“I am grateful for my time here, and I am also thankful for the opportunity to meet all these amazing new people,” Torres said. “It was so much fun, and I was able to play the sport I’ve loved since I was a child. I am also appreciative that I was able to earn my degree. My plans after I graduate are to return to Dallas, Texas, and use my sports management degree to pursue the opening of an indoor soccer field while working for professional sports teams.”
The Southern Miss Soccer team, now (6-8-2, 3-4-2 SBC), will head to San Marcos, Texas, for their final regular-season match against the Texas State Bobcats on October 29. The event will be live-streamed on ESPN+.
