LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese Cowgirl soccer squad wrapped up eighth day of preseason practice early Tuesday morning in over 100-degree heat as it prepares for Sunday's exhibition match against UL-Lafayette.
 
Beginning with individual drills to perfect their touches and passing, the Cowgirls progressed into a two-team possession drill and closed out the day with a half-field altered scrimmage. The scrimmage was paced by the returning Cowgirls while the newcomers are beginning to define their role on the squad.
 
"It's been hot. It's been very hot," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald. "The team has done really well this week. It was good to see them put in hard work for another 90 minutes straight.
 
"After having to work around some sickness from the heat, we are starting to see where the freshman and newcomers are going to fit into our shape as a team," said Fitzgerald.  "The large group of freshman and newcomers have seemed to have jumped right into this team and bonded right away."
 
"This team has bonded more than ever before and it will show within play on the field," said senior defender Rebecca Adcock. "After the retreat this weekend, the freshman have started to show their personalities and we all have gotten along well."
 
Fitzgerald said there will never be a starting 11 set in stone.
 
"The 11 will change from game to game depending on our opponent," said Fitzgerald. "We do have a solid seven or eight players that we're pretty sure will start and now we're trying to figure out who is going to win those battles for the other starting positions."
 
Kickoff for Sunday's exhibition will be 7 p.m. at Cowgirl Field while the season opener Aug. 23 at home against Southern.