MONROE, La. – After missing out last year, the Texas State soccer team become the first Sun Belt Conference program to clinch a berth in the conference's tournament this season after defeating ULM 3-0 Friday evening at the ULM Soccer Complex. The victory extended the Bobcats' shutout and winning streak to five matches with the shutout mark tying the program record set in 2001.
 
Texas State improves to 8-4-1 overall and are 6-1-0 in the Sun Belt to guarantee at least a share of the first place in the conference standings heading into Sunday's match. The Warhawks drop to 2-12-1 on the season and 2-5-0 in the SBC.



Rachel Grout nearly put the Bobcats in front early in the seventh minute when she had an open look at the net following a pass that drew the goalkeeper out. Unfortunately for her a ULM defender got back in time to clear her attempt on goal away.
 
Late in the ninth minute, Brooke Ramsey sent in a corner kick from the right side. The ball bounced past a defender and to Holly Streber. The freshman defender toe tapped the ball to Kassi Hormuth, who buried a shot into the lower right corner for the opening goal of the match.
 
Grout scored for the first time in the contest early in the 17th minute. It began with Hormuth passing the ball back to Jamie Brown after a failed clearance ULM. The junior sent a high, towering ball into the box that bounced over a Bobcat and Warhawk player right to Grout on the back post. She then knocked the ball into the open net to extend the lead to 2-0.
 
With a second left in the 38th minute, Grout tallied her second goal of the match and team leading seventh of the season. Renny Moore sent in a cross that hit off a defender right to Grout. The Dallas native followed by ripping a shot by the ULM goalkeeper for the final score of the match.
 
The second half saw the Bobcats attempt five shots and place three on goal that were all stopped. Overall, TXST outshot the Warhawks 16-3 and led 6-1 in corner kicks.
 
Hormuth led all players with a match and season-high five shots. The Cedar Park, Texas native also extended her point streak to five matches. She tallied
 
Grout added four shots and saw her goal scoring streak reach three contests in-a-row. Kira Zapalac was the only other Bobcat to attempt multiple shots with three, tying a season best that she set at Coastal Carolina.
 
In goal, Heather Martin made a save to record her fifth consecutive shutout. Her GAA dropped to 0.67 and her save percentage increased to .846 on the year.
 
The Bobcats concluded their weekend road trip on Sunday at Little Rock. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
 
For more information on the Texas State soccer team, visit the official website of Texas State Athletics at www.txstatebobcats.com, like on Facebook at Texas State Soccer and follow on Instagram and Twitter at @TxStateSoccer.