Early Dominance
Ole Miss soccer claimed its first road victory of the season on Tuesday, edging Louisiana 2-1 at the Home Bank Soccer & Track Complex. The win lifted the Rebels to 2-0-0 under first‑year head coach Todd Shulenberger, marking a perfect start to his tenure.
The scoring opened early when Isabella Pontieri struck in the 10th minute, converting her first appearance for Ole Miss after a blocked shot in the eighth. Her calm finish put the Rebels ahead 1‑0 and set the tone for a commanding first half.
Just over a minute later, Paxton Bock doubled the lead, finding the net 56 seconds after Pontieri’s goal. The strike, his debut as a Rebel, was set up by Maizy Kluksdal, whose assist marked her first contribution to the score sheet.
Louisiana's Fightback
Louisiana answered in the second half, narrowing the gap at 54:11 when Miku Kurihara converted an Addison Soehn feed. The goal sparked a brief rally, but the Rebels’ defense held firm.
Statistically, Ole Miss dominated possession (54 percent) and corner kicks (seven to none) while out‑shooting Louisiana five to two on target. Despite Louisiana’s overall 9‑8 edge in total attempts, the Rebels’ precision proved decisive.
In goal, Taylor Prigge played the full 90 minutes, registering a single save and securing her second victory of the campaign, underscoring the team’s steady defensive foundation.
The Rebels will look to extend their momentum on Thursday when they travel to Charleston, South Carolina, for an 8 p.m. CT kickoff against the College of Charleston.