LAKE CHARLES – As the McNeese State women's soccer team walked off the field Tuesday night having defeated Prairie View A&M, 5-0, in its home opening match, the Cowgirls were elated to have accomplished their biggest goal of the evening… Play For Krista.
 
Krista Steinbeiser, a former McNeese soccer player was injured in an automobile accident Monday evening in Lake Charles. Steinbeiser was taken to a local hospital and is currently recovering from two broken vertebrae in her neck. She received visits from members of the Cowgirl squad throughout the day as well as head coach Scooter Savoie who found Steinbeiser in good spirits.
 
"I spoke with Krista this morning about her condition and the journey she is about to go through," said Savoie. "I want people to be know something that I know our players are aware of. Krista was the happiest person this morning and full of positive energy. She's accepting what happened and is thankful to have come away from that. This victory tonight was for her."
 
That positive momentum that radiated from Steinbeiser's smile and positivity radiated onto the pitch as the Cowgirls (2-0) fully dominated play from the beginning to the end of the match.
 
McNeese was explosive right out of the gate and wasted no time creating opportunities as freshman sensation Nola Pricket scored her first career collegiate goal in the 11^th minute of the match after heading in a cross shot from the corner to help the Cowgirls go up 1-0 early. Junior Kelley Clancey's was credited with the assist on the play.
 
"I thought that the Nola Prickett goal was awesome and was a great strong service that turned out to be a first class goal," said Savoie. "I thought she played well all night and was able to break the ice tonight."
 
From that point on, McNeese was at full throttle as sophomore Gabi D'Alesandro netted the second goal of the match on a shot from the left side of the box in the 19^th minute to extend the lead to two goals over Prairie View (0-1). Before fans could reset and take in what was happening, junior Bettina Brulhart scored her second goal of the season on a cross from the left side of the field to put the Cowgirls up 3-0 at the half.
 
"It was a real good victory for us tonight," said Savoie. "We try to play off of what their tendencies were last year and they presented a totally different plan this season. I thought our players did a great job of adjusting and finding the space that was given to them."
 
The McNeese defensive unit provided solid protection throughout the match and limited the Panthers to just eight shots and one corner kick. Senior goalkeepers Lauren Sestak and Maggie Marks each recorded valuable minutes in the net while Sestak made one save.
 
Junior Hannah Sutherland provided the Cowgirls' fourth goal of the match in the 80^th minute with one of the most beautiful shots taken on the McNeese home field. Sutherland launched a rocket from 30 yards out that found the net just above the keepers head.
 
Another Cowgirl newcomer recorded her first career goal as a collegiate student-athlete in the last 10 seconds of the match. With the help from sophomore Sierra Sisco and a slight misstep from the opposing goalie, freshman Dayna Garcia snuck in the fifth and final goal of the match to help lead McNeese to the victory.
 
The Cowgirls are competing with history as they start the season out 2-0 for the first time since the 2006 season. McNeese captured the program's only SLC Tournament championship that season and competed in its only NCAA Tournament game.
 
"The most important thing about this win today is that there was 100 percent effort from start to finish," said Savoie. "Regardless of the situation in the game, we find a way to win. Not only do they play when the ball is on the ground but we compete. That is something that I feel we are going to lean on this season."
 
McNeese dominated the match in every category including a 21-8 advantage in shots as well as a 5-1 edge in corner kicks. Prickett and Brulhart each led the team with six shots apiece.
 
Prickett and freshman Morgan Middleton were also given assists on the scoring plays in the game.
 
The Cowgirls will hit the road for a two-game stint that begins at Texas State on Friday, Aug. 28 and will conclude with a contest against Tulsa on Sunday, Aug. 30 before returning home to face rival UL-Lafayette on September 4.