SAN MARCOS, Texas- McNeese's Anna Watson broke the silence in the 80th minute when she scored the only goal of the game to lift the Cowgirls to a 1-0 win over Texas State here Sunday afternoon in the final tune-up before opening up Southland Conference play on Friday.
It was Watson's fifth goal of the season and 10th in her career as Watson put the Cowgirls up 1-0 late in the 2nd half with her fifth season goal, and tenth career goal.
But the story of the match was the return of goalkeeper Emma Roccaforte who has missed the previous six games to an injury. The junior picked up where she left off last season by notching a shutout, the 16th of her career, as the Cowgirls recorded their second consecutive shutout on the weekend.
"Emma played well," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald. "She was a little too amped up during warmup but she composed herself and really had a good performance."
Both teams were scoreless throughout the first half despite combining for 13 shots, seven from Texas State and six from McNeese. The Bobcats were also allowed four corner kicks to McNeese's zero in the frame.
In the second half, the Bobcats (4-3) held a 9-2 advantage in shots, but one of those two by the Cowgirls was all that was needed.
With 80:42 on the clock, the Cowgirls' Jillian Bech sent a cross from the right side to Watson, who flicked it in with her left foot.
"I liked our resilience in the second half," said Fitzgerald. "Texas State really had the better of the play both in terms of stats and just the general run of play, but we adjusted, limited their chances and took advantage of one of the few we created in the half.
"We have to be more dangerous overall but I'm proud of the fight we had today."
The Cowgirls finished with eight shots to Texas State's 16 while Roccaforte recorded eight saves.
McNeese (4-3) will play its first conference game of the season against Southeastern (1-5-1) on Friday at Cowgirl Field and riding a two-match winning streak.
Match Notes:
• Junior Emma Roccaforte started after being hurt for the beginning of the 2019 season.
• Freshman, and Lake Charles native, Jillian Bech recorded her first career assist.
• McNeese has now beaten Texas State in the last six meetings.
