LAKE CHARLES- The McNeese soccer team (3-5-1, 3-4-1 SLC) will look to keep its postseason hopes alive this weekend when the Cowgirls travel to Sam Houston (3-4-1,3-4-1 SLC) on Thursday night followed by a Saturday afternoon matchup at Stephen F. Austin (7-5-2, 5-3 SLC).
 
After a weekend away from the pitch, the Pokes are set to play for the first time since their tough 1-0 loss against Northwestern State that was decided by an own goal. 
 
The Cowgirls, last weekend, started with an impressive win over Central Arkansas where Havana Johnson scored two goals and recorded one assist in a 3-1 win over the Bears. Following the win, the Pokes battled against second place Northwestern State but ultimately fell 1-0 at the hands of an unfortunate McNeese own goal.  
 
Sam Houston State is on a two-game winning streak after defeating HBU and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi two weekends ago. The latter of the two matches was decided in double overtime where sophomore Brooke Jones scored a 104^th minute golden goal to secure the Bearkat win. SHSU is currently tied with McNeese and TAMU-CC for seventh place in Southland Conference standings. The top eight teams qualify for the league tournament which will be held in Beaumont April 13-17.
 
"It's an important weekend with both teams fighting to get in the tournament," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald. "Sam has won a couple matches here recently so they are playing with some confidence.  Playing at their place is always difficult but our team is focused and knows what we need to do."
 
Third place Stephen F. Austin snapped a three-game skid in its last outing when midfielder Destiny Davis scored a late 78^th minute goal to push the Ladyjacks past the Huskies on the road. 
 
After losing to SFA 13 times in a row (from 2007-2017, 1-1 draw in 2018) the Cowgirls took down the Lady jacks in an exciting 2-1 double overtime win at home last season. The Pokes were awarded a free kick with six minutes remaining in the second overtime period and that's when Keely Morrow sent the ball in the box to be finished by Maddie Neidig for the win.  
 
"SFA has always been a difficult team to beat, and this year is no different.  Both teams will have battles on Thursday so Saturday really becomes about who is able to focus and execute while playing with tired legs," said Fitzgerald on SFA.
 
Both matches this weekend will be available through live stats and also streamed on ESPN+.