SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State soccer team opened Sun Belt Conference play with statement victory over ULM by the score of 4-0 Friday night at the Bobcat Soccer Complex for the team's third annual Teal Match. Kaylee Davis paced the team with a two-goal performance, netting one in each half.
 
With the win, the Bobcats improve to 3-5-0 overall and are 1-0-0 in conference play while the Warhawks remain winless on the season at 0-8-0 and 0-1-0 in the Sun Belt.
 
ULM recorded the first shot of the match midway through the fifth minute when Alexiss Trudeau attempt curled way wide of the left post. That would be the Warhawks only shot attempt until the second half.
 
Davis had a great opportunity in the 11^th minute but sent the ball just past the outside of the right post. Three minutes later saw the Allen, Texas native and Mackenzie Smith put back-to-back shots on goal in a six-second span that were both stopped by the goalkeeper.
 
The breakthrough came in the 16^th minute when Smith won a sliding challenge from around 25 yards out. The ball rolled to Davis, who took a two touches before sending the ball into the lower left corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
Early in the 27^th minute, Renny Moore had an opportunity to increase the lead when a Warhawk fouled a Bobcat in the box for a penalty kick. The sophomore went high with her shot but sent it just over the crossbar.
 
Adding to the lead in the 39^th minute was Genesis Turman. The junior dribbled up field and took a long attempt that bounced past the keeper and inside the right post for her first goal of the season.
 
ULM came out aggressive after halftime and threatened Heather Martin for the first time late in the 49^th minute. Camryn Ciaramella's shot was heading to the upper right corner until Martin made a leaping save to tip the ball over the bar.
 
Davis increase the lead to 3-0 in the last half of the 51^st minute. She used her speed to get past two defenders and sent a rocket into the left side netting from a tough angle on the right side for her fifth goal of the season.
 
Martin followed with another leaping stop in the 54^th minute when Trudeau unleashed a shot from about 45 yards out. The shutout nearly came to an end three minutes later when the Warhawks sent in a low cross to the back post to an open Mackenzie Bell. Luckily, she miss hit her opportunity that Martin was able to easily pick up.
 
Sarah Everett almost found the back of the net in the 56^th minute off a free kick. With the ball just outside the 18-yard box, the sophomore's high attempt had a little too much on it as it buzzed the crossbar just above the upper left corner.
 
The final goal of the night came in the 64^th minute. Moore sent in a corner kick from the right side that buzzed over Everett's head. The ball was corralled by Smith, who sent her shot into the upper portion of the netting for her first career goal.
 
Davis led all players with 11 shots and one shy of tying her career-high and program record setting mark set last year. Tonight's total is tied for the second most in program history with Jerelyn Lemmie, who accomplished the mark versus The Citadel on Sept. 16, 2004.
 
Both Haley Groff and Smith took four shot attempts apiece. Also recording multiple shots on the night with two each were Hannah Solano and Moore.
 
Overall, TXST finished with 30 shots and placed 15 on goal. The team's shot total is tied for the 15^th most in a single-match in program history. It is also the first time that the Bobcats have had at least 30 shots in a contest since taking 34 on Oct. 23, 2016 at home against ULM.
 
Martin finished the night with four saves, all of which came in the second half. It was her second shutout of the season and eighth in her career. The victory gave her 17 in a Texas State uniform and tied Mandi Mawyer (2007-09) for sixth in program history.
 
Next up for TXST is a trip to Houston for the final non-conference match of the season on Sunday against Houston Baptist at 7 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.