LAKE CHARLES – Cowgirl soccer is slated to kick off in Conway against the University of Central Arkansas (5-5) on Sunday, September 24^th at 1PM.
 
The squad is feeling good, starting their season 6-2-1, the best start in program history, after a 2-1 overtime win against Northwestern State University in Natchitoches on Friday.  UCA will also be entering the match with a weekend win under its belt as well, after defeating Lamar at home 4-1. The bears held Lamar to only eight shots, a team that averages 18 shots per game.
 
"We are just looking to recover as quickly as possible from last night," second year head coach Drew Fitzgerald says. "UCA is a talented group with a high level of athleticism, we so are expecting a tough match. We are relying on our depth to be a different maker in the contest."
 
The depth Fitzgerald is referring to are his non-starters. In Friday's match against Northwestern, every single Cowgirl who came onto the pitch off the bench contributed at least one shot in the game. To date, 20 different players have been able to take a shot during play.
 
Both teams currently hold the two longest win streaks in the conference, McNeese will be looking for their fifth straight win, while Central Arkansas will be playing for their fourth. The series between the teams dates back to 2000 with 12 total meetings. McNeese leads the series with six wins, but has dropped the passed two meetings against UCA. The Cowgirls have not claimed victory against the bears in Conway since 2008.
 
In their last meeting, in September of 2016, McNeese was held scoreless and allowed Central Arkansas five goals. The Cowgirls still managed 10 shots in the match, half of them coming off the foot of Savannah LaRicci. Flash forward to today, and LaRicci now leads the conference in points (14) and leads all Cowgirls with 32 shots and five goals.
 
Even with allowing a goal in Friday night's contest, the Cowgirls still maintain first in the conference for goals allowed, doting a defense that allows an average of only .33 goals per game… the only team in the conference with an average less than one.
 
Sunday's game is set for a 1:00PM kick off in Conway at the Bill Stephens Soccer Complex. Live stats and video are availabales for fans.
Fans are also encouraged to followed Cowgirl soccer on twitter at @McNeeseSoccer for in game updates and all things regarding Cowgirl soccer.