University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Thursday, August 28
Edinburg, TX
6:30 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
at
UTRGV
Cajuns Continue Non-Conference Slate at UTRGV
8/27/2025 3:32:00 PM | Soccer
Thursday is the second meeting all-time between the schools
EDINBURG, Texas - Coming off an impressive offensive showing on Sunday, the Louisiana soccer team returns to the pitch on Thursday at UTRGV. It'll be the second meeting all-time between the programs, with the Ragin' Cajuns coming away with a 4-0 win in Lafayette.
The Cajuns were relentless in their 3-0 victory over McNeese on Sunday, scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes to put the match away. Salma Elhaimer netted her second goal of the season while Briana Henry and Maiya Clark scored their first of the year. Defensively, Natalie Mayes only faced two shots in net for her first shutout of the season.
Through three games, the Cajuns have gotten contributions all over the place on offense, with six different goal scorers. The ability to attack with different players has Louisiana excited about the upcoming season.
"It makes it really hard to defend, and we've seen that this year," said head coach Chris McBride. "McNeese marked one of our forwards and basically followed her around the field. It just opened up opportunities for other players to create chances. When you have a variety of weapons to go and attack, you can figure out what is and isn't working and go from there."
Louisiana has carried over its stingy defense from last season through three games. Last season, they allowed a program-low 1.10 goals per game while Natalie Mayes set a program record with seven shutouts. This season, they've allowed just a goal per game while Mayes hasn't had to make many difficult saves.
"She's been incredible technically," said McBride about Mayes. "The work she's done and the coaches she has had have been fantastic. Over the last year, she's been able to really tie in the game experience."
SET PIECES
FOLLOW THE CAJUNS
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.Â
Â
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsSoc), Facebook (Ragin' Cajuns Soc) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsSoc) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Soccer.
The Cajuns were relentless in their 3-0 victory over McNeese on Sunday, scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes to put the match away. Salma Elhaimer netted her second goal of the season while Briana Henry and Maiya Clark scored their first of the year. Defensively, Natalie Mayes only faced two shots in net for her first shutout of the season.
Through three games, the Cajuns have gotten contributions all over the place on offense, with six different goal scorers. The ability to attack with different players has Louisiana excited about the upcoming season.
"It makes it really hard to defend, and we've seen that this year," said head coach Chris McBride. "McNeese marked one of our forwards and basically followed her around the field. It just opened up opportunities for other players to create chances. When you have a variety of weapons to go and attack, you can figure out what is and isn't working and go from there."
Louisiana has carried over its stingy defense from last season through three games. Last season, they allowed a program-low 1.10 goals per game while Natalie Mayes set a program record with seven shutouts. This season, they've allowed just a goal per game while Mayes hasn't had to make many difficult saves.
"She's been incredible technically," said McBride about Mayes. "The work she's done and the coaches she has had have been fantastic. Over the last year, she's been able to really tie in the game experience."
SET PIECES
- Louisiana takes on UTRGV for just the second time in program history. The Ragin' Cajuns won the inaugural meeting last season 4-0, scoring three times in the second half.
- With the 4-1 win over Lamar, Louisiana had a record-setting performance. The four goals were the second-most in program history in a season opener, and it was the second-largest margin of victory to start the year, behind a 10-0 win over Jackson State in 2003.
- Carson Glenn's penalty kick goal against Lamar was Louisiana's first attempt and make since Karleen Bedre's goal at Arkansas State on Oct. 6, 2022.
- The Ragin' Cajuns had one of the best defensive seasons in school history in 2024. They allowed just 1.10 goals per game, the fewest in school history, while posting seven shutouts.Â
- Louisiana is coming off back-to-back seven-win campaigns in 2023 and 2024. It's just the fourth time in program history the Cajuns have won seven or more games in back-to-back seasons (2006-07, 2012-16, 2019-20).
- The Cajuns went 7-5-8 last season for a .550 winning percentage, the best in school history. The five losses were the fewest by the Cajuns, and the eight draws in a season were a program record.
- With seven goals through three games, the Cajuns are tied for the third-most goals at this point in school history, matching last season's output. Most goals through three games: 2003 (12), 2016 (11), 2024/2025 (7). The record for most goals through four games for the Ragin' Cajuns is 12 in 2003 and 2016.Â
FOLLOW THE CAJUNS
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.Â
Â
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsSoc), Facebook (Ragin' Cajuns Soc) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsSoc) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Soccer.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
GK
/ SoccerChris McBride Media Availability (Oct 27, 2025)
Monday, October 27
Chris McBride Media Availability (Oct 20, 2025)
Monday, October 20
Chris McBride Media Avialbility (Oct 13, 2025)
Monday, October 13
Chris McBride Media Availability (Oct 6, 2025)
Monday, October 06
