SAN MARCOS, Texas – Defense was the name of the game for the McNeese State soccer team in Friday night's contest against an old rival in Texas State as the Cowgirls were able to win the battle, 1-0,  and secure their third consecutive victory to open the season.
 
The history that these two teams have between each other created nothing less than the expectation of an annual duel with both squads having fought with all of their energy to outscore the other, only this time it was for the right to help their respective teams stay undefeated.
 
"This was a great team win for our program," said head coach Scooter Savoie. "What made this such a great victory was team play and effort given. I thought we had a really good contest from the front to the back. Everyone played their roles and did a great job creating the pressure needed."
 
McNeese (3-0) used talent on and off the bench to create a defensive struggle that prevented its opposition from gaining an offensive advantage while the play from senior goalkeeper Lauren Sestak helped the Cowgirls secure its second shutout. Sestak deflected six shots on the evening, some of which were by the length of her fingertips. The will and determination were what kept McNeese from tiring but instead grow stronger on the pitch.
 
"Tonight was a great team win," said team captain Sarah Bricker. "It felt really good that we fought for the full 90 minutes. I thought we were able to shut down their offense and did a good job winning the air game."
 
Much of the first half was a defensive struggle as both teams looked for a play style that would outsmart the other squad. The Cowgirls launched a few early shots but were threatened by the play of the Texas State (1-1) keeper who tallied two saves. Just like the last two matches, McNeese continued to find its style and did not back down as it searched for a way to score.
 
The ice was broken during the 24^th minute of play when Bricker received a pass from sophomore Sierra Sisco following a corner kick that found a group of Cowgirls bunched up. However, Bricker found her way through the crowd and slipped her shot past the goalie for her first goal of the season and the 1-0 McNeese lead. Sisco was credited with the assist.
 
"It was awesome to get the game-winner for the team," said Bricker, who scored her first goal of the season. "Nola (Prickett) was able to win the header and (Sierra) Sisco set me up perfectly to just place the ball. It is always fun to do some scoring especially when you mostly play defense."
 
"We talk everyday about our restarts and how everyone on the field has a role to play," said Savoie. "We did a good job of balancing and shaping the box so that the ball found Sierra (Sisco) and in turn she found (Sarah) Bricker. That goal was what we needed to win. It was just a great team effort and an awesome start to the season.
 
The Cowgirls controlled the remainder of the first half of play as well as the second stretch in which they continued to pour out pressure that gave the experienced Bobcat squad troubles and could not find a solution for.
 
The Bobcats attempted wild shots from near midfield multiple times while having just a few good attempts taken away by the exceptional play of senior goalkeeper Lauren Sestak. The Spring, Texas native deflected five shots during the first 45 minutes and was impressive on a shot from nearly 40 yards out that was punched over the top of the net. She followed with two more saves in the second half.
 
Texas State led both squads in shots taken with a 16-6 advantage but were unable to control their style of play having committed 15 fouls and received two yellow cards.
 
Sophomore Gabi D'Alesandro led the team in shots taken with two while four more players were able to record a shot in the match.
 
Sisco's assist on the scoring play was her second of the season.
 
The Cowgirls will complete their weekend road trip when they travel to take on undefeated Tulsa Sunday afternoon in a match slated for a 2 o'clock start.
 
McNeese (3-0-0) vs. Texas State (1-1-0)
Date: Aug 28, 2015  Attendance: 816 
Weather: 94 degrees, sunny, light winds SSE @ 9 mph
 
 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 McNeese.............  1  0 -  1
 Texas State.........  0  0 -  0
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  23:59 MCN Bricker, Sarah (1) (Sisco, Sierra) - goal resulted after corner kick, bunched all by the goal
 
 Shots: McNeese 6, Texas State 16
 Saves: McNeese 7 (Sestak, Lauren 7), Texas State 2 (Rinehart, Caitlynn
 2)