BEAUMONT- On Friday night in the 2019 SLC regular season finale, the regular season champs, Lamar, blanked McNeese 3-0 in the Battle of the Border.

After Friday's conference loss in Beaumont, McNeese falls to 10-8-0, 6-5-0 SLC and the Cardinals improve to 13-6-0, 10-1-0 SLC.
 

 
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
McNeese will enter the postseason tournament at number six and will face number three ACU in the first round for the second year in a row.
1. Lamar
2. Northwestern State
3. Abilene Christian
4. Incarnate Word
5. Texas A&M-CC
6. McNeese
7. Sam Houston State
8. Stephen F. Austin
 


1^st HALF
The Cardinals would find the back of the net twice in the first period despite the Cowgirl defense forcing Lamar to take shots from outside the box.
 
13^th – Lamar scored its first goal of the night on a shot taken from deep by Anna Loftus
 
27^th – Later in the period Madison Ledet would also go on to score from outside the box, assisted by Esther Okoronkwo.
 
2^nd HALF
Cardinal goalkeeper Sandra Nygard was put to the test as the Pokes were able to the ball on frame six times in the second half, to Lamar's three. True freshman Kelly Hines also got the start to begin the second period.
 
85^th – The Cardinals scored their final goal of the night as a bumped around corner kick found the feet of Kaisa Juvonen from about five yards out.


 
MATCH NOTES
• The Pokes rallied to put six shots on goal in the second half, compared to its one shot on goal in the first half.
 
• Freshman goalkeeper Kelly Hines made her seventh appearance as she started in goal for the second half.  
 
• The Cowgirls out-shot the Cardinals 20-19 and found themselves in the corner four times.
 
 

QUOTING HEAD COACH DREW FITZGERALD
"I was really disappointed with our first half performance.  We were timid and soft, but I loved our grit the 2nd half.  We played with a bit of fire and passion that has been missing.  It was good to see.  Now we go into the tournament 0-0 like everyone else, so we just need to bring that energy in with us."
 

 
LOOKING FORWARD
The Cowgirls move on to begin preparation for the 2019 Southland Conference tournament on November 6^th-10^th in Conway, AR. McNeese will be making its fourth straight and 15^th overall appearance in the postseason tournament. The Cowgirls will face ACU in match two of the tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 6^th  at 2:00 p.m.