LAKE CHARLES – McNeese women's soccer head coach Drew Fitzgerald's first career victory happened in dramatic fashion Wednesday night as the Cowgirls fought back from an early deficit to defeat Louisiana Tech, 2-1, on the road in Ruston.
 
With the victory, Fitzgerald became the second head coach to win his debut match as the leader of the Cowgirls. The season opening win was the third consecutive for McNeese (1-0) and the first time that the Cowgirls won a game in Ruston.
 
"We played really hard tonight and took a game off of a really good Louisiana Tech team," said Fitzgerald. "I think we can be more organized and more dangerous in the attack, but I am very proud of this team win."
 
It was an aggressive first half for McNeese who dominated play with a 4-2 shot advantage over the Lady Techsters (1-1). The Cowgirls had two shots on goal from Savannah LaRicci.
 
A goal from Kathryn Sloan in the 50^th minute of play gave Louisiana Tech the early advantage coming out of the break as the forward hit the ball into the upper left corner past McNeese's Annie Bravenec.
 
However, the opposition's goal left the Cowgirls determined and in the 60^th minute, senior Bettina Brulhart hit a shot off the inside of the far post to knot up the score, 1-1, breathing new life into the McNeese squad. The goal was the fourth of Brulhart's career.
 
With time running out late in the game, it seemed as though the two squads were headed for overtime. Sophomore Nola Prickett had different plans as she fought through traffic and was able to beat out the Lady Techster goalkeeper from close range and score the game-winner, giving McNeese the 2-1 lead. It was the third game-winner of Prickett's young career.
 
Louisiana Tech led in total shots taken with an 11-6 advantage and in corner kicks, 2-1.
 
McNeese's Bravenec picked up her first career win after making one save in the match.
 
McNeese will be back in action Friday night when it returns home to host Texas State at 7 p.m.
 
"Now we have to get ready for a short turnaround and an opponent that always makes life hard on us in Texas State," said Fitzgerald.
 
McNeese (1-0) vs. Louisiana Tech (1-1)
Date: Aug 24, 2016  Attendance: 131
 
Goals by period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
McNeese.............  0  2 -  2
Louisiana Tech......  0  1 -  1
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
 1.  50:16 TECH SLOAN, Kathryn (1) (unassisted) - turned, hit into upper left corner
 2.  60:10 MCN Brulhart, Bettina (1) (unassisted) - hit off inside of far post
 3.  83:47 MCN Prickett, Nola (1) (unassisted) - from close range, beat keeper to left side
 
Shots: McNeese 6, Louisiana Tech 11
Saves: McNeese 1 (Bravenec, Annie 1), Louisiana Tech 2 (SETO, Kylee 2)