CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The McNeese women's soccer team was upset by Abilene Christian on Wednesday in round one of the SLC Tournament. After 110 minutes of regulation and overtime play, the Cowgirls and Wildcats went to a tie-breaking shootout where McNeese would fall 3-5.
 
"Tough to end our season this way, but could not be more proud of our team for the year they had, and the game they played today" head coach Drew Fitzgerald said.
 
McNeese completed their season 12-5-2, advancing to the SLC Tournament for the second consecutive year and 13^th time in program history.
 
The first 45 minutes were action packed, but despite multiple threatening setups on both ends, neither team was able to find a breakthrough. The two sides entered halftime deadlocked at 0-0, each team only managing one shot on goal apiece.
 
The second half, and double overtime periods would be no different, with both teams struggling to break through the opposing defense.
 
The tie breaking shootout would go head to head, with each team making their first three shots. From there, ACU would make its fourth and see McNeese hit its opportunity just over the high post, another ACU goal would seal the deal for the Wildcats.
 
The Cowgirls tallied only nine shots in the match, a low they would only reach one other time this season. In fact, that one other time would be against ACU earlier this month when McNeese took down the Wildcats 3-0 in the regular season.
 
Sophomore Rachel Palet, senior Kayla Goedicke, and freshman Maddie Neidig would each get a pair of shots in the contest. Nola Prickett, Anna Watson, and Mariah Ruelas would each have one for themselves as well.
 
McNeese's trademark physical defense performed well to contain the speed of ACU's front line, with senior Nikki Schaaf, junior Sarah Clayton, and senior SLC Defender of the Year, Gabi D'Alesandro directing the notorious back third to its 13^th shutout of the season.
 
"This group is a special one, no matter what is thrown at them, they keep battling. I think we all feel blessed to be able to work with them every day this year" Fitzgerald said.
 
ACU forced a lot of pressure on the McNeese offense, winning the shots battle 15-9 (7-4 on goal) and forcing seven saves from freshman SLC Goalkeeper of the Year, Emma Roccaforte.
 
Roccaforte finished out her first year with eight shutouts and 63 saves, for a .851 save percentage- making her one of the best in McNeese history.
 
"Today was a hard fought 110 minutes of soccer by both sides. I think everyone gave their best and it just didn't come out in our favor. Losing isn't ever fun, but I cannot be more proud of what we have accomplished as a team this year" Roccaforte said.
 
McNeese closes out its season with a loss, but there is nothing negative to be said about the year behind them. With one of the best seasons in program history, you can be sure the Cowgirls will be returning to action next year with a fire in their souls, so buy your cowbells and get your blue and gold ready, because they will be back.