LAKE CHARLES- The McNeese Cowgirls (7-3, 3-0) are set to host Sam Houston State (4-5-1, 2-0-1) on Friday night in a battle to remain atop the Southland Conference standings.  

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Cowgirl Field. The Cowgirls and Bearkats are two of four unbeaten teams in the league, albeit SHSU does has a tie. McNeese will be riding a five-match winning streak into Friday's home match where it has yet to lose on its own turf this season.

The Cowgirls are returning home after a two-game road trip where they picked up a pair of 2-1 wins over UCA on Friday and Northwestern on Sunday.
 

On Friday night McNeese, won by a 2-1 double overtime decision that saw Delana Friesen score the game-winner off a corner kick from Kiana Kukaua in the final minutes of the match.  Also on Friday night, Briana Mascia scored her first goal as a Cowgirl.

In Sunday's match, the Pokes escaped with a late second half goal from Havana Johnson to remain undefeated in conference play, a game that saw Mascia net a goal in her second consecutive game. 

SHSU is coming off a 1-1 draw vs. Texas A&M-CC at home last Sunday night. The Bearkats came from behind to score the equalizer and avoid a loss. Both of the Bearkats' conference wins were comeback victories.

In 2019, Anna Watson leads the team in goals with five and is closely followed by Friesen with four and Havana Johnson with three. Goalkeeper Emma Roccaforte has four wins in goal and has only allowed two goals all season.
 

After Sunday's game, the Cowgirls will stay at home to face Stephen F. Austin on Sunday to continue conference play.

Cowgirl fans can follow the match through live stats at mcneesesports.com.