{"id":418967,"date":"2026-08-28T06:12:30","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T06:12:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/418967\/"},"modified":"2026-08-28T06:12:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T06:12:30","slug":"bulldogs-secure-first-win-of-2026-at-houston-christian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/418967\/","title":{"rendered":"Bulldogs Secure First Win Of 2026 At Houston Christian"},"content":{"rendered":"

HOUSTON, Texas \u2013 Louisiana Tech came out victorious for the first time in 2026 in their road opener on Thursday, defeating Houston Christian, 1-0, at Sorrels Field.
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\nDespite being outshot 15-8 and 12-2 in attempts on target by the Huskies (1-2-1), the Soccer ‘Dogs (1-2-1) managed to pull off the clean sheet thanks to another strong performance in front of the goal and a timely score in the early stages of the match.
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\nSenior captain Madison Pensom<\/a> struck first in the 17th minute, scoring her second goal of the season and third of her career assisted by Ashley Leonhart<\/a> and Abby Hanton<\/a>. Five of HCU’s eight first-half shots came after the score, but Mackenzie Lorkowski<\/a> maintained steady defense with six saves in the first half.
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\nThat marks consecutive matches with six first-half saves for the freshman keeper.
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\nLorkowski added two more saves through the first five minutes of the second half before tying her single-game career high of 11 saves after a barrage of attempts following a corner set piece, making arguably the most crucial saves of the match with just over 15 minutes left.
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\nThe game entered a lightning delay with just over 10 minutes left and lasted around an hour and 12 minutes, before play resumed at 8:10 p.m. CT.
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\nDuring the final 10 minutes Lorkowski secured her 12th save of the match, giving her a new single-game career high and putting her in a tie for the third-most saves by a freshman in a single game in program history.
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\nThe Bulldogs conclude their quick two-match road span in Texas with a visit to Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches on Sunday, August 30. First touch at SFA Soccer Field is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
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\nNotables<\/p>\n


\n\tThursday’s result marks the first win of head coach Matt Lodge’s Louisiana Tech tenure
\n\tIt is the first win over Houston Christian since 2009, and the first win in Houston since 2008
\n\tLA Tech improves to 3-1 against the Huskies and 10-10-3 in all-time road openers
\n\tMadison Pensom’s<\/a> two goals and five points thus far mark new single-season career highs for the senior captain
\n\tThere were multiple assists made on a single goal for the first time since 2023
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\n\t\tBack-to-back matches on Sept. 21 (Emma Jones, Kalli Matlock assist on Carmen Suarez goal) and Sept. 24 (Emma Jones, Madita Ehrig<\/a> assist on Lauren Egbuloniu goal)
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\n\tIt is the first clean sheet by a freshman keeper on the road since Ansley Ittel<\/a> at Missouri State (W, 1-0 \u2013 Oct. 16, 2025)
\n\tIt is the most shots faced in a clean sheet since UTEP made 17 attempts in a 2-0 win on Sept. 19, 2025 in Ruston
\n\tMackenzie Lorkowski<\/a> now holds two spots among the top 10 list for most single-game saves by a freshman in program history (T-3rd \u2013 12 saves; T-4th \u2013 11 saves)
\n\tFive Bulldogs saw the pitch for the full 90, including Avery Jacobs<\/a> who has yet to be subbed off this season, and seven Bulldogs played at least 80 minutes <\/p>\n

Quotables
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\nHead Coach Matt Lodge:
\n“I’m so proud of the group\u2014it’s everything they’ve worked towards and earned. Winning is hard so we must enjoy and cherish each one, and that one felt special. The weather delay and sitting on the bus for an hour, they came off the bus ready to finish the job. Every player put in a shift against a very good opponent. The goal is to improve every day and we are doing that. Kenz, again, had a fantastic game and she keeps growing in confidence.”<\/p>\n

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