LAKE CHARLES—McNeese women's soccer (2-3-0) will begin Southland Conference play this weekend with a 7 p.m. road game at Nicholls Friday, Sept. 9 then will return home Sunday, Sept. 11 to host Southeastern at 5 p.m. in its SLC home opener.
 
Sunday's game has been designated as Military/First Responder Appreciation Day. Military/First Responders with a military ID will receive a free T-shirt.
 
McNeese was picked to finish second in the SLC preseason poll while Nicholls was picked ninth and Southeastern (2-2-0) was picked to finish sixth. The Colonels (1-4-1) are coming off their first win of the season, a 1-0 home win over Jackson State on Sunday.  The Lions will begin SLC play on Sunday against the Cowgirls
 
The Cowgirls have had over a week off since it last took the pitch, a 2-1 win against Southern on Aug. 31.
 
Salma Elhaimer leads the Cowgirls with seven shots and two goals while Kiana Kukaua has a team high two assists.
 
Goalie Briana O'Dell leads the team with 12 saves while Jackie Kelly has eight saves on the season.
 
Admission is free to all home games.