LAKE CHARLES—Rachel Young's goal in the 85^th minute was all McNeese soccer needed to pick up a 1-0 season opening win over Sam Houston here Friday night.
 
"That was a grind out goal, it wasn't beautiful but it found the back of the net," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald.
 
Young put the ball in the net off a corner kick that came off the feet of both Salma Elhaimer and Kambrie McFarland.
 
Sam Houston controlled the first half of play by outshooting the Cowgirls 9-3 but the Cowgirls showed grit late in the second half and it paid off.
 
McNeese will travel to Texas A&M Sunday for a
 
 SCORING
85^th Minute (McNeese 1, Sam Houston 0)
McNeese Goal: Rachel Young; Assists: Kambrie McFarland, Salma Elhaimer
 
NOTES
•- The goal was Young's first of the season. Young led the team in goals last season with seven
•- Young led the team with three shots
•- Magalie Depot was credited with two shots
•- Goalie Jackie Kelly was credited with four saves
•- Freshmen Salma Elhaimer and Anouk Linders earned their first collegiate start
•- Four other freshman (Avery Baker, Dominika Ducal, Matilde Tesgaard, Alexis Theiler) all played in their first collegiate game.
 
NEXT GAMES
Sun. Aug. 21 at Texas A&M (6 p.m.)
!Thu. Aug. 25 vs. Troy (4 p.m.)
!Sun. Aug. 28 at South Alabama (3 p.m.)
Wed. Aug. 31 Southern (7 p.m.)
 
!- South Alabama Tournament