LAKE CHARLES- On Senior Night, a solid team defensive performance led by senior goalie Emma Roccaforte and junior Kelsey Crosby's highlight goal gave the McNeese Cowgirls a 1-0 shutout victory over Houston Baptist in the final home match of the season.
The win, the 50th of the (super) senior's careers, improved the Cowgirls' record to 11-4-2 overall and 8-2-1 in league play.
Tonight just meant more and the Cowgirls played like it as nine seniors were honored in post match festivities. With said inspired play on display, the Cowgirls were able to combat the 13-8 shot advantage HBU held. Both teams started out a bit slow as they would feel each-other out in the early portion of the game. The Pokes broke the tie in the 34th minute when Havana Johnson found Kelsey Crosby standing about 35-40 yards out, Crosby received the pass and connected on a ball that just kept rising from deep into the back of the net over Huskie goalie Karla Ramirez.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Emma Roccaforte who had been in and out of the lineup this season due to injuries had six saves to record her fourth shutout of the season and extend her school records with her 19th shutout of her career while picking up her 27th career win in the net. Roccaforte recorded a leaping save on Caroline Gillispie's shot in the 65th minute as that would be a closest thing to a scoring threat the Huskies had all night.
McNeese Head Coach Drew Fitzgerald:
(On Roccaforte's performance)
"Emma played great, it was good to have her and her leadership back as we needed it tonight. It was very beneficial to have a senior in goal to organize things as we weren't playing our best but she kept things under control, it was very encouraging and we are glad to have her back."
(On overall team performance)
"I thought our soccer performance wasn't great, I think we were under pressure way too much. However, I thought the energy and the effort and playing for each other was there. In the end, getting the result was the most important thing. The team also kept the clean sheet for the seniors so I was really proud of that as this group has done so much it was really exciting for them to get a win this last home game."
Notables:
Havana Johnson assist ups her to 67 career points, good for third all time in Cowgirl history.
Kelsey Crosby records her second career game-winning goal, her first with McNeese.
Houston Baptist falls to (4-12-1, 4-7-0).
Cowgirls will be no less than the #2 seed in the conference tournament.
McNeese is 8-2-0 at home this season.
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Next Game:
Regular Season Finale: At Northwestern State - Friday, Oct. 29 - 7 p.m.
