LAFAYETTE, La. – Senior Kennley Bradley found the perfect time to score her first career goal when she headed in a corner kick with just under 15 minutes to play to tie the match. Texas State (4-3-3, 0-0-1 Sun Belt) and Louisiana (5-1-5, 0-0-1) ended the Sunday afternoon contest in a 1-1 draw at the Home Bank Soccer/Track Facility in the Sun Belt Conference opener.
 
With the result, the Bobcats completed their first-ever undefeated road swing of at least five matches in program history going 2-0-3.
 
"Today was definitely a hot one and I think our depth made a difference. We weren't at our best to start the game, but once we settled in I thought we were pretty good. We had possession of the ball a lot and created a number of quality chances in the second half," said head coach Steve Holeman. "Overall, this was a challenging five-match road stretch and to go undefeated says a lot about how far we have come."
 
The Bobcats outshot the Cajuns 13-11 and had a 9-6 advantage in shots on goal. Most of TXST's attempts came in the second half where the team took 10 shots and placed eight on target. Victoria Meza led the way with three shots and she joined Lily Erb and Bradley in placing two shots on goal.
 
In goal, Caitlyn Draper made five saves on the afternoon. The sophomore increased her conference leading total to 42 saves.
 
The Cajuns were awarded their sixth corner kick early in the 25th minute. They would take advantage as Lucy Ortiz knocked in a rebound off a save by Draper on a header attempt by Hailly Waterhouse to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
 
It would be mostly Texas State with possession for the rest of the half. The team would earn four corner kicks and attempt three shots but were unable to find the equalizer.
 
Nearly 40 seconds into the second half, Mya Ulloa placed the Bobcats' first shot on goal that took a bounce into Louisiana's keeper's arms. It would be the first of three shot attempts in the first five minutes of the period for TXST.
 
Midway through the 74th minute, A Cajun defender played the ball back to the goalkeeper. It went wider than expected and Natalie Mayes had to dive and grab the ball to prevent an own goal but gave Texas State an indirect free kick from about eight yards out.
 
Alexis Neal tapped the ball and Meza ripped a shot towards the frame. The ball deflected off a defender and out of play for a corner kick.
 
The ensuing corner from Kaylie Smith ended with Bradley heading the ball into the far netting just inside the post for her first career goal to equalize the score.
 
Mady Soumare nearly scored with eight and a half minutes left in the contest when her shot to the near post was pushed away at the last second by Mayes.
 
Early in the 87th minute, Helen Alormenu sent a ball into the box that Zoe Junior got her head on before the keeper. However, a defender was able to kick the ball just over the crossbar to keep the match tied.
 
Next up for the Bobcats is the Sun Belt home opener when Marshall comes to town on Thursday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
 
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