CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Head coach Drew Fitzgerald and the Cowgirl soccer team is head to Corpus Christi, Texas for the 2017 SLC Tournament. No.3 seeded McNeese (12-5-1, 8-3) will face No.6 seeded Abilene Christian (8-10, 6-5) on Wednesday at 2PM at the Jack Dugan Soccer Complex.
 
"All year, our focus has been on the game in front of us, and the tournament will be no different" Fitzgerald said.
 
McNeese is looking to bounce back after two devastating losses to Houston Baptist (Oct 22) and Lamar (Oct 27). Before the final two contests, the Cowgirl defense had only allowed five goals, but in only 180 minutes of play against the Huskies and Cardinals, allowed seven.
 
Earlier this month, when McNeese and ACU matched up in the regular season, history was made when senior Savannah LaRicci netted three goals, and her first hat trick in only 14 minutes for the fastest hat trick in McNeese history.
 
The hat-trick would be the only one earned by a league player against an SLC opponent.
 
Abilene Christian is traveling to Corpus Christi with 2017 SLC Freshman of the Year in tow, midfielder Christina Artaega. The Pflugerville, Texas native is only second to junior forward and two-time all-conference selection, Dylan Owens, in Wildcat goals with seven on the season so far.
 
ACU was able to close out their season with back-to-back wins after defeating No.2 seed Stephen F Austin (2-0) and Incarnate Word (4-2).
 
"Abilene has been playing really well and I am sure it will be an exciting match. ACU presents some challenges in how well they move the ball, especially across the midfield – Artaega and  
Owens are particularly dangerous and offensive threats" Fitzgerald said.
 
FROM FRISCO –
 
No. 3 McNeese – 12-5-1 (8-3-0 SLC) – First Game: vs. No. 6 Abilene Christian,
The Cowgirls possessed one of the stingiest defenses in the conference through 2017, registering seven shutouts in 11 Southland games. McNeese went five consecutive games from Oct. 1-20 without allowing a goal, but lost momentum at the end of the regular season, dropping its final two road matches while allowing seven goals. The Cowgirls come to Corpus Christi with multiple conference award winners, headlined by Player and Forward of the Year Savannah LaRicci. The senior forward led conference play in shots (44), goals (10) and points (25). McNeese also brings the Defender of the Year in senior Gabi D'Alesandro, Goalkeeper of the Year Emma Roccaforte and a pair of additional all-conference picks in senior defender Nikki Schaaf and junior midfielder Nola Prickett.
 
No. 6 Abilene Christian – 8-10-0 (6-5-0 SLC) – First Game: vs. No. 3 McNeese
In ACU's first season of full Division I eligibility, the 2017 soccer tournament is the program's first opportunity to earn an automatic NCAA postseason bid. The Wildcats were a formidable side in 2016, finishing in third place with an 8-2-1 league record but were not yet eligible for postseason play. The team earned a pair of First Team All-Conference selections, including the Freshman of the Year in midfielder Christina Arteaga and two-time selection Dylan Owens, a junior forward. Arteaga paced the Wildcat offense, ranking fourth in points (13) and third in goals (six) in league play.
 
Opening round and semifinal games of the tournament will be streamed live on the Southland Conference Digital Network, available at Southland.org/live and on the Southland Conference app.
 
Match 1-6 Live Stream: Southland Digital Network
Southland.org/live and Southland apps

Championship Live Stream: ESPN3
WatchESPN.com and ESPN apps

In addition, fans can also get in-game updates as well as behind the scenes coverage of the Cowgirls by following @McNeeseSoccer on Twitter and by liking the McNeese Sports page on Facebook.
 
Tickets for the Southland Conference can be purchased through the A&M-Corpus Christi ticket office. Single session tickets on Wednesday and Friday are available for $10 (adults) and $8 (12 and under).