LAKE CHARLES - McNeese soccer dropped its third straight game here Sunday afternoon to Abilene Christian by a 3-0 score in the final home game of the season and what was also senior day for the Cowgirls.
McNeese honored its four seniors following the match - Alexis Rodriguez, Rebecca Adcock, Juna Suppan and Rachel Palet.
The Pokes (9-6-0, 5-3-0 SLC) were forced to make multiple line-up adjustments due to injuries as the Wildcats (9-4-2, 5-2-1 SLC) took advantage and responded with the win after coming off a 6-4 loss to Lamar on Friday night. ACU kept McNeese out of the net and gained momentum after a penalty kick score with 12 seconds left in the first half to give the Wildcats momentum into the break.
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
The loss marked the third straight home and conference loss for the Cowgirls as they fell to fifth place in the conference standings as the Wildcats moved into third place.
FIRST HALF
The Cowgirls looked to have the slight advantage over the Wildcats as they only allowed three shots and got six off of their own. In the 28th minute, sophomore Gabrielle Christy checked in for Emma Roccaforte in the goal after Roccaforte was unable to finish out the match due to an injury she suffered on Friday night against UIW. McNeese entered halftime trailing 1-0 after a penalty kick late in the half.
SECOND HALF
After going out on a good note in the first half, ACU continued to build momentum and created opportunities. The Cowgirl defense remained in its defensive third as the Wildcats did not let up on their attack and eventually tacked on two more goals to extend its lead to three.
51'- After ACU's Jordan Michie played the ball through from the inline Natalie Jones squared it up and Caylen Wright finished the ball past the keeper.
77'- Jones would score a goal of her own that came from a set piece outside the box taken by Alyssia Anuat.
MATCH NOTES
• The Pokes were led by Havana Johnson and Mariah Ruelas who each had two shots.
• Sophomore Gabrielle Christy checked In at goalkeeper for her second straight match and picked up two saves in the net.
• McNeese will look to break its three-game losing streak next Friday as they go on the road to face HBU (2-12-0, 1-6-0).
QUOTING HEAD COACH DREW FITZGERALD
"We're playing with a lot of injuries and working really har, giving up silly fouls hurt us but I'm proud of our energy. We'll look at HBU and figure out how to get a win and move on from there. (On the Seniors) They are the group I started with as a head coach and they are the winningest class in school history, there still looking at the tasks ahead but they have been great."
