LAKE CHARLES- The McNeese Cowgirl soccer team got better on Friday night after battling it out with the ULL Ragin' Cajuns to a 1-1 draw in an exhibition match which was played with the format of three 30 minute periods.  

ULL started as the aggressors early in this one. The match got started after ULL's Hailey Hoffmann found the back of the net on a breakaway goal '8 in.  

After some preseason rust, the Cowgirls started to settle in, as a result the intensity picked up and the momentum shifted.    

The Cowgirls responded via a penalty kick in the 48' by way of preseason All-SLC forward Anna Watson.  

The match featured many close scoring opportunities in the closing period that neither team was able to convert.  

The entire Cowgirl roster saw playing time. As you would hope from an exhibition, it provided a good learning opportunity for some first time Pokes and the rest of the team.  

Goalkeepers Emma Roccaforte and Jackie Kelly each made some really nice saves. Senior Havana Johnson also made her presence felt as did the rest of the returning upperclassman.  

"It was a really good game for us. It's the kind of exhibition you want against a good program that moves the ball and you learn something about yourself. So we thank them (ULL) for giving us the opportunity," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald.  

"I thought when we settled in and became the aggressors, in terms of adding a bit of physicality and trying to step in and win balls instead of being passive and letting them handle it, the whole game changed. The tone of the game changed for the better for us. Still a lot of things that need to be cleaned up but for the first night, I was really happy."  

The Cowgirls begin the regular season at home Thursday against Jackson State at 6 p.m.