LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese women's soccer team (10-3-1, 6-1) clinched a trip to the 2017 Southland Conference Tournament with Friday's shutout 3-0 victory over Abilene Christian (6-8, 4-3). Senior Savannah LaRicci netted all three goals for her first career hat-trick and the fastest in McNeese history.
 
"I am proud of the team's effort tonight. ACU is a very talented group which creates a lot of problems on the flanks, but I thought we dealt with it well," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald.
 
LaRicci's first goal came with only 5:16 away on the clock. Junior Nola Prickett was able to control the ball into the box and transfer the ball to LaRicci, who chipped it in passed the ACU keeper.
 
LaRicci then scored her next two goals with only 80 seconds between each shot.  The first coming off the foot of Gabi D'Alesandro, who sent the ball into the box with a beautiful cross from the left wing.
 
LaRicci commented, "We went into the game tonight knowing this was one of the top teams in the conference, so we had to bring our best."
 
After tonight's impressive performance, LaRicci moves into third place in the McNeese record books for total goals in a career (28). The Sugar Land, Texas native also moves into third for total points in a career as well (72).
 
The final goal of the night, and LaRicci's 10^th of the season, was an unassisted goal, sent into the back of the net by LaRicci with 25:40 still remaining in the first half.
 
"Obviously, Savannah was huge tonight and allowed us to get the big win even though we did not have as much of the ball as I would have liked. Now we are recovering and working to get ready for Incarnate Word," Fitzgerald said.
 
The Cowgirls totaled only nine shots in the contest, compared to the Wildcats 11. McNeese's nine shots are the least for the squad this year.
 
Freshman goalkeeper, Emma Roccaforte was able to defend her net from five shots on goal from the ACU offense.
 
Roccaforte is now 8-2 with six shutouts in her college career after facing 98 shots. Her talent in the net has earned her a top spot in nearly every defensive category in the conference record book. Her six shutouts also put her amongst the best in Cowgirl history, ranking second for shutouts in a season.
 
With tonight's win, McNeese now leads the series with Abilene Christian 3-2. The next match up for McNeese is home at Cowgirl Field (October 15) against University of the Incarnate Word.
 
"We have fought long and hard for these results and now we have clinched a tournament spot and hopefully we can keep being successful down the stretch," LaRicci said.
 
Fans are encouraged to follow the Cowgirls on Twitter at @McNeeseSoccer for live game updates and all things Cowgirl Soccer.