The highly anticipated matchup lived up to the billing as the two programs set the tone from the very first minute, opportunities would be at a premium. The first half featured a total of two shots by each team as Morgan Schooley, Martine Ellefsen, and the rest of the defensive back-line put forth a noticeably aggressive and gritty performance that carried throughout. 

Entering today, Northwestern State had not given up a single goal in any conference match this season (a streak that dates back to their non-conference game on Aug. 29 against Rice). That changed when Mariah Ruelas finished a beautiful cross from Keely Morrow in the 66th minute to break the tie for the Cowgirls. Eleven minutes later, midfielder Kiana Kukaua struck a magnificently placed corner-kick that Keely Morrow was able to head in (with authority) to seal the fate of NSU. The Cowgirls would only need one of those goals as true freshman goalie Jackie Kelly blanked the Lady Demons. Kelly exemplified spirit and toughness on the pitch, seemingly getting up every time she was knocked down. She finished the game with seven saves.

McNeese Head Coach Drew Fitzgerald:
"Our energy and effort today was great even when the game wasn't pretty or when we couldn't connect as Northwestern St. does a great job disrupting what you want to do. I think we simply just came out determined, we lose Anna (Watson) who is one of our key players as statistically she covers the most ground for us and wins the most tackles so to have players step up was big and I'm really proud of all of them."
"We reach the halfway part of the year with this win so it puts us in a good spot, but it's halfway so we need to go through the second half of the season with the same level of focus and urgency to really make anything of it. I'm proud of where we are now, we just have to keep it going."

Notables:
Cowgirls improve to (8-3-1, 5-1-0), Lady Demons falls to (4-4-3, 4-1-0).
Keely Morrow ties her career-high with three points (1g, 1a). Morrow also added to her conference-leading assist total, she now has four. 
Morrow's three points now move her into the top 10 (9th) in Cowgirl program history with 32 career points.
Jackie Kelly records her fifth shutout in nine starts, her save percentage of 87.5 is first among the SLC goalkeepers. 
Mariah Ruelas recorded her fifth career game-winning goal. 

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Next Game:
McNeese @ Southeastern La. - Oct. 8th at 7 p.m.