LAKE CHARLES  - Junior striker Savannah LaRicci provided the heroics by scoring the game-winning goal just five minutes into the first overtime period to lead the McNeese women's soccer team to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Houston Baptist Friday evening.
 
With the win, McNeese improved itself to 8-8 overall and 4-5 in league play while Houston Baptist dropped to 5-10-1 on the season and 2-5-1 in conference action.
 
"We are proud of the way our girls played tonight," said assistant coach Nick Whiting. "It was tough to give up a penalty kick so late in the game but for them to battle back and score a goal on overtime is huge. It shows their heart and character."
 
With non-stop action from start to finish, LaRicci was able to brake away from the action in the 94^th minute and battled two defenders into the box. It was there that the Sugar Land, Texas native dribbled through and took a shot that rang out cries of victory as she found the back of the net and lifted her team to its first overtime victory of the season. The goal was LaRicci's team-best eighth on the year.
 
"That was a special goal," said Whiting. "She won the ball and beat the first girl with speed and then took the second girl on and had a good finish on her left side. That is what big-time players do and that is what she has been for us throughout her career."
 
The game winner secured the Cowgirls' third conference win in their last five matches and first overtime win since September 27, 2015 against Northwestern State. With the victory, McNeese now sits in prime position for a bid into the league tourney set to take place in a few weeks in Corpus Christi, Texas.
 
Junior Kayla Goedicke scored for the fourth time this season when she lit up the scoreboard with a goal in the 67^th minute. Goedicke headed in a corner kick that was set up by both Bettina Brulhart and Emily Silva.
 
"Kayla started a lot earlier in the year and has even come off of the bench and made a big impact," said Whiting. "It showed again tonight. She is someone who works hard and her goal set the tone for the second half."
 
HBU evened the scored at one in the 84^th minute when Allison Abendschein scored off of a penalty kick following a Cowgirl foul.
 
Houston Baptist outshot McNeese, 17-10, while the Cowgirls led in shots on goal, 5-3. LaRicci led with the most shot attempts on the evening with three while Kirsten Diaz was close behind with two.
 
McNeese continues league play at home Sunday afternoon as the Cowgirls celebrate Senior Day against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The match is set for 1 p.m. kickoff.