LAKE CHARLES – It was an enjoyable homecoming for both McNeese junior forward Savannah LaRicci and the Cowgirl soccer team who cruised to a 2-0 victory over a tough Texas State squad in Friday night's home opener at Cowgirl Field.
 
LaRicci, who was sidelined with an injury last season, was the catalyst that got things going for the undefeated Cowgirls (2-0) as she scored both goals in the game. It was the second time in LaRicci's career that she scored twice in a match after doing so back in 2014 against Nicholls.
 
With the victory, McNeese improved to 2-0 on the season while Texas State dropped its first match and fell to 2-1 overall.
 
"It is great to be able to start out 2-0 on the season," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald. "Savannah did a nice job on creating her opportunities to score and we were able to score off of a corner again which was nice to see."
 
A heated first half involved ball control from Texas State, who outshot McNeese 7-2, with a chance at scoring a pair of goals, but it was the quick hands of Cowgirl goalkeeper Annie Bravenec that made the save each time.
 
"We do need to be better though," said Fitzgerald. "The first 30 minutes of the ballgame we were crushed by Texas State statistically. I am proud of our defense for holding up under that but at the same time, late in the game, we held the ball and moved the ball and actually got some pressure to create shots."
 
The blank sheet was the first of Bravenec's career as she improved her record to a 2-0 mark.
 
"At the end of the day, the team keeps a blank sheet and your keeper holds while a great forward earns a couple of goals for us to get the win so we will take it," said Fitzgerald.
 
In the 35^th minute of action, LaRicci was able to locate a cross from Morgan Middleton and take full advantage of a header shot passed the Texas State goalie and give McNeese a 1-0 lead in the game.
 
The Sugar Land, Texas native put the nail in the coffin following the halftime break as she found freshman Alexis Rodriguez and received a pass in order to break away and score the team's second goal of the game.
 
"This is a great feeling to start out the season with one of the best record's in recent memory, including our work in exhibition games," said LaRicci. "Hopefully, we are able to keep this going and keep up the wins."
 
Friday's shutout by McNeese was the first against an opponent since doing so against Incarnate Word last season. Texas State had not allowed a goal in the first two games of its 2016 slate until the Cowgirls scored twice and it was the Bobcat's first shutout since October of last year.
 
"After having to play both of our home exhibitions at neutral sites due to rain, it was nice to be able to come back home and get the win," said Fitzgerald. "There was a nice crowd and it was nice to play under the lights at home. Texas State was a sold team tonight."
 
The Bobcats led the shot column, 16-4, and in corner kicks, 9-1. McNeese made five saves in the game while Texas State earned one.
 
The Cowgirls will return to action next week when they hit the road for the first off three away games. McNeese will start the stretch with a match against Southern Friday, Sept. 2 in Baton Rouge at 6 p.m.
 
Texas State (2-1) vs. McNeese (2-0)
Date: Aug 26, 2016  Attendance: 400
Weather: Cloudy and Humid; 84; Wind: E 4MPH
 
Goals by period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Texas State.........  0  0 -  0
McNeese.............  1  1 -  2
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
 1.  35:04 MCN LaRicci, Savannah (1) (Middleton, Morgan) - Header shot off of cross from left side
 2.  54:18 MCN LaRicci, Savannah (2) (Rodriguez, Alexis) - Goal scored on break away and scored from middle of field
 
Shots: Texas State 16, McNeese 4
Saves: Texas State 1 (Martin, Heather 1), McNeese 5 (Bravenec, Annie
 5)