LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese women's soccer team (7-2-1) is settling in for back-to-back home games this weekend, starting off with a match up against Stephen F Austin (5-5) on Friday, game time set for 7:00PM CT.
 
"Stephen F Austin presents some unique challenges. They are athletic and talented in all 11 positions and their formation is very fluid." Second year head coach Drew Fitzgerald said. Fitzgerald is now 16-12-2 at the helm of the Cowgirl soccer program.
 
Stephen F Austin, sitting at 2-1 in conference play, is shooting in the middle of the pack for conference. Fairing well against Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Sunday (September 24), defeating the Islanders 2-0. Earlier this month, the Lady Jacks defeated Northwestern State 2-0 as well, taking down the Lady Demons in regulation, giving NSU no shots on goal and taking 14 shots on goal themselves.
 
Hanna Barker, the Lady Jacks starting senior forward, leads her team with 28 shots and four goals. Barker has also claimed offensive player of the week twice this season.
 
McNeese, who is currently top of the pack at 3-0 in conference play, is looking to extend their unbeaten streak to seven on Friday. The Cowgirls are entering the weekend with three straight conference wins against Southeastern, Northwestern St, and defending champions, UCA.
 
Fitzgerald and his team are completely aware of the challenge that faces them when playing Stephen F Austin. "They have good depth, so someplace we've felt we had a big advantage over a lot of teams this year, is going to be less of an advantage in this contest."
 
In 2016, the Cowgirls faced the Lady Jacks twice, once during the regular season and once during the conference tournament. Both times, the Cowgirls fell by two goals. McNeese played #2 SFA in the semi-finals of the SLC tournament, and despite sophomore midfield Rachel Palet striking the first goal of the game; SFA retaliated, netting four goals to claim lead and bump the Cowgirls out of the run for tournament champion.
 
The series dates back to 1996, heavily weighing in favor of SFA with McNeese only claiming victory six times, out of 35 contests. 2007 was the last season in which the Cowgirls defeated the Lady Jack, taking down SFA 1-0 at Cowgirl Field.
 
Fitzgerald closes, "Obviously for us it can feel like a measuring stick game because they have been the class of the league for so long, but in reality, it is just another chance for us to ad three more points to the board. Our job is to focus on our own team, make minor adjustments for them, and ultimately force them to adapt to us. It will be a big challenge, but these games are always fun and our players have responded well to challenges like this one before- Friday will be no different."

Friday's 7:00PM game will be available for fans to watch at McNeeseSports.com/watch, live stats will also be available on the website as well.
For in-game updates and all things Cowgirl soccer, fans are encourage to follow us at @McNeeseSoccer on Twitter.