LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese State women's soccer team tamed one of the hottest scoring offenses in the nation but in the end was edged by a salty Southeastern Louisiana team who scored a 1-0 victory over the Cowgirls Friday night in Lake Charles.
 
The Lady Lions entered Friday night's match as the fourth best scoring offense in the nation, averaging nearly four goals a game. However, McNeese (3-3, 0-1 SLC) tied its cleats on tight and gave Southeastern Louisiana (6-1-1, 0-1 SLC) one of the better games it has played in.
 
Following a scoreless first half that saw many individual battles help shape a few scoring opportunities for each side, both McNeese and Southeastern Louisiana were anxious to become the first team to win the only battle that mattered and that was the winning goal.
 
Unfortunately, the Lady Lions were able to take advantage of a corner kick late in the match and score the game-winner off of the foot of Maddie Kresevic following a number of kick attempts between both teams. The goal was scored off of the assist by Bri Singh.
 
It was just the second time this season that Southeastern Louisiana had been held to one goal or less after being shutout out by nationally ranked Florida State.
 
A trio of McNeese players led the team in shots taken as Sara Ortiz, Morgan Middleton and Michelle Petrarca each recorded three attempts. Ortiz and Middleton took the team's only shots on goal.
 
Senior goalkeeper Lauren Sestak was solid in the net throughout the entire match. Despite giving up the game-winning goal, Sestak logged three saves on 14 shots faced.
 
McNeese took nine shots in the game while the Lady Lions walked away with 15 shot attempts.
 
The Cowgirls will be back in action next weekend when they hit the road to take on Central Arkansas on Friday, Sept. 25 before rounding out the weekend at Northwestern State on Sunday, Sept. 27. The next home match is schedule for Friday, Oct. 2 against Sam Houston State.