ALEXANDRIA, La. – Louisiana State University of Alexandria women's soccer officially hits the pitch for the first time this season, facing Texas Wesleyan at 2:00 pm on Generals Field.  The Generals are celebrating the program's 10^th anniversary and will recognize a host of alums in attendance during halftime.
 
"The coaching staff and squad are really looking forward to Saturday," LSUA Head Coach Mark Hammond said. "We've been working hard these two weeks during preseason to be as prepared as we can be for this game. We know Texas Wesleyan will be a good test for us, but I know the ladies will be up for the game and will want to put in a good performance in front of a home crowd. "
 
ANNIVERSARY RECOGNITION
At halftime, LSUA will recognize women's soccer alums in attendance for their contributions in helping build the first decade of the program. All women's soccer alums are welcome to attend Saturday's fixture and can RSVP with Coach Hammond (mhammond@lsua.edu) by Thursday, August 15.
 
SCOUTING TEXAS WESLEYAN
The Rams finished 7-9-1 in 2023, including a 4-5-0 record in Sooner Athletic Conference play. Away from home Texas Wesleyan was 3-5-1. The Rams scored 38 goals, while allowing 39 across 17 games.
 
Grace Spradley led the Rams with 11 goals and eight assists. She started all 17 matches and recorded a team-high 46 shots. Also returning for Texas Wesleyan is Alexa Bezpalko. The McKinney, Texas native tallied nine goals and five assists, for 23 points, in 16 games. She finished with a pair of game-winning goals.
 
The Rams will not have Milan Carroll in net this season. She started 14 games and posted a goals against average of 1.97. Carroll recorded 99 saves in 1,143 minutes of action, and a 3-6-0 record, on her way to four clean sheets. Senior Reese Blanton returns for the 2024 season. She made three starts last season and five total appearances. She allowed 13 goals, while turning aside 20 shots. She appeared in one combined clean sheet.
 
LSUA is 3-0-0 in the last three meetings against Texas Wesleyan. Remmie Ferla and Alexia Bermejo Jo each scored twice in a 4-0 victory last season. In 2022, the Generals posted a 4-2 victory over the Rams at home, with three different goal scorers. A late 84^th minute goal was the difference in 2019, when the Generals captured a 2-1 victory in Fort Worth, Texas.
 
FAN INFO
Admission to women's soccer games for spectators is free. The Generals Soccer Field is located at the back of LSUA's campus between Acorn Drive, Middleton Drive, and Tom Bowman Drive. Seating is located on the south side of the field.
 
For the latest on women's soccer, visit LSUAGenerals.com or follow the team's social media accounts: @LSUA_WSOC (X) or @LSUAWSoccer (IG).
----
LSUA Athletics previews are proudly presented by Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers.