LAKE CHARLES – Only four matches remain in the Southland Conference soccer regular season but the McNeese State women's soccer team's goal of extending its life to the postseason is the frontrunner come Sunday when the Cowgirls take on a tough and talented Abilene Christian squad at Cowgirl Field with kickoff slated for a 1 p.m. start.
Fans who are unable to attend Sunday's match can follow the action by clicking on the Live Stats link under the soccer schedule on McNeeseSports.com. A Live Stream will be available for the match as well for a minimal fee on McNeeseSports.com/watch.
In addition, fans can also get in-game updates as well as behind the scenes coverage of the Cowgirls by following @McNeeseSoccer on Twitter and by liking the McNeese Sports page on Facebook.
McNeese (6-7, 3-4 SLC) scored a much needed victory over Incarnate Word Friday night at home in a 1-0 shutout. Along with some help from around the league, the win propelled the Cowgirls into sixth place in the league standings. However, McNeese is unable to rest easy as just six points separates them and last place in the standings. Only the top six teams are able to punch their tickets into postseason play.
McNeese has now won three of its last five matches while 10 different Cowgirls have now scored at least one goal this season.
Freshman
Morgan Middleton provided the game-winning shot against the Cardinals Friday night to help McNeese score its first victory at home since August 25. The victory also helps the Cowgirls narrow the gap between them and those ahead of them in the league standings.
Abilene Christian (6-7-2, 5-1-1 SLC) dominated Lamar, 6-2, Friday night to improve its conference record and remain as one of the top two teams in the standings. Although ineligible for postseason play, the Wildcats are poised to prove themselves to those around the league having scored four consecutive victories.
Three ACU soccer players have each scored 10 points on the year while Lindsey Jones and Sophie Standifer have each scored a team-high four goals this season. Sydney Newton has started in 10 matches as the goalkeeper for the Wildcats and is credited with two shutouts and a .822 save percentage.
McNeese leads the all-time series against Abilene Christian, 2-0. The Cowgirls won last year's meeting against the Wildcats, 1-0, in Abilene. In 2013, McNeese outlasted ACU, 1-0, in overtime at Cowgirl Field.
Following Sunday's match, the Cowgirls will hit the road for two important matches at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Houston Baptist.
