Box Score CONWAY, Ar.- With only 1:27 left in the second overtime, McNeese soccer was set up for its third corner of the period. Freshman Kiana Kukaua played in a high ball that was finished off the head of Delana Friesen that gave the Cowgirls a 2-1 Southland Conference double overtime win over Central Arkansas here Friday night.

With the win, McNeese improves to 6-3-0 overall and 2-0-0 in league play while UCA drops to 1-7-1 and 0-2-0 in the SLC.

Friesen's game winner was her fourth goal of the 2019 season, surpassing her one assist in her freshman season last year. It was also the sophomore forward's second game-winner this season.

Goalkeeper Emma Roccaforte is continuing to pick up right where she left off in the 2018 season as she racked up ten saves in tonight's contest.  The junior picked up the win in goal after nearly recording her third straight shutout. Roccaforte has only allowed one goal this season.

Both offensive fronts were strong in the first half as UCA got off ten shots and McNeese earned eight. Both the Bears and the Cowgirls had four of their shots put on goal in the first half. Roccaforte picked up four saves in the first half, one of which being a notable one on one save in the box.

 In the 28^th minute Brianna Mascia scored the first goal of the match to give the Pokes the lead, the goal was her first of the season. Mascia's goal was unassisted after a scramble near UCA goalkeeper, Reagan McCombs.

In the second half, the Cowgirls got off to a fast start, as they were able to put up five shots in five minutes. (59'-64') The Cowgirls defense held UCA to only one shot in the first 15 minutes of the second half.  

Central Arkansas would respond with four shots of their own, only one would find the back of the net. The equalizer came in the 70^th minute when the Bears played a ball into the box that would be finished by midfielder Hadley Dickinson.

At the end of regulation, the Pokes led the Bears in shots and shots on goal, McNeese had 20 (10 on goal) and UCA had 17 (6 on goal).
In the first overtime McNeese held UCA to only one shot. However, the Cowgirls were not able to get off any shots of their own.  

In the second overtime it came down to the wire, as one corner kick would lead to another, which led to the 108^th minute Golden Goal. Both teams showed no quit as they chased after every ball and fought for every possession. However, it was the Pokes who came out on top.

McNeese will travel to Northwestern State (4-6-1, 2-0) for another conference match on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Pokes look to improve their four-match winning streak to five.

Match Notes:
• Junior Emma Roccaforte still hasn't allowed a goal this season
•Brianna Mascia earned her first career goal as a Cowgirl
• Kukaua earned her first assist of the season
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH DREW FITZGERALD
"Both teams expended a ton of energy tonight and it was a great battle.  They had the run of play for a while leading up to their goal, but we responded very well.  Once you reach OT it's really a gut check.  Delana was aggressive all night and played a good game.  Getting the game winner was well deserved given her effort.  We knew she could have a good year because she never stops working.  It's fun to watch her continue to grow."