LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese women's soccer team set its sights on one goal as it took to the pitch Friday night as the Cowgirls went full speed and put together a complete game to shut out Nicholls, 4-0, in Southland Conference action.
 
McNeese (6-7, 2-4 SLC) spread the wealth around during the in-state duel as four different players found the back of the net while the Cowgirl defense pitched its third shutout of the season by stifling the Nicholls offense.
 
"I thought we came out unafraid and just battled through the whole match for the first time this year," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald. "We had some players back from injuries so that always helps but Kirsten Diaz starts for the first time ever and had a great game for us. It was big time as we had players step up all across the field. It was a great effort for our team tonight."
 
Diaz played in over half of Friday night's contest and created a couple of shots on goal and gave her team a chance at winning the matchup.
 
The loss dropped Nicholls to 4-6-1 overall on the year and 1-4-1 in league play.
 
There was no time wasted in the first half as freshman Rachel Palet's first career goal came in the sixth minute of action as she scored off of a corner kick from senior Bettina Brulhart and that landed on top of the head of sophomore Nola Prickett to five the Cowgirls a 1-0 lead. Brulhart and Prickett were credited with an assist.
 
Prickett made her first start since the beginning of September and didn't miss a beat as she scored the game's season goal in the 55^th minute following a cross play from junior Savannah LaRicci to up the McNeese lead to a 2-0 score. Prickett finished the night with a goal and an assist on two shots attempted.
 
Junior Kayla Goedicke's goal in the 78^th minute extend the Cowgirls' lead to three scores when she received a pass from junior Gabi D'Alesandro and slipped past the goalkeeper. The goal was Goedicke's third of the season and her first since the Southeastern Louisiana contest back in September. D'Alesandro's assist was her team-high fifth on the season.
 
LaRicci finished off a great night on the field when she scored with under 10 minutes left after getting some help from Sara Ortiz who passed to LaRicci inside the box and shot into an empty net to give McNeese a comfortable 4-0 lead.
 
"I think that being able to get some of our injured players back has really helped our team come together and set one goal and that is to play fast and with a lot of intensity," said Fitzgerald. "I think that the players who have had the minutes have done a great job at keeping us competitive and everyone is doing their job right now. It was great to see that tonight."
 
The Cowgirl defense turned in a clean sheet after limiting Nicholls to five shots and one on goal the entire night. Junior Annie Bravenec was credited with the win after facing all five shots and making one save. Bravenec and junior Brianna Lovett each shared the shutout following Lovett's appearance inside the net with under one minute left in the game.
 
"I think that Annie's communication was great tonight and the backline understood their roles better," said Fitzgerald. "We worked on those things this week and then the other thing is that Gabi (D'Alesandro) caused some problems offensively and defensively for us so great effort on her part."
 
McNeese led the night offensively after having attempted 18 total shots, including 11 on goal, and taking eight corner kicks.
 
The Cowgirls will rest on Sunday before making the long trip to play at Incarnate Word and Abilene Christian next weekend. McNeese's next home game will take place Friday, Oct. 21 against Houston Baptist.