CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Scoring early in the second half, the McNeese soccer program (9-7-4, 5-3-2 SLC) advanced to the SLC Championship match for the first time since 2008 with a 1-0 victory over HCU (7-11-0, 4-6-0 SLC) Friday evening.
 
"I think Morgan did a great job. We actually drew up that play yesterday after watching some film on them," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald. "We set that up for Kiana Kukaua to get the ball and serve it to draw the zone over and Morgan does the job. She was great all day defensively so to go on the other and and get it done too was really special.
 
Morgan Schooley, a junior defender, scored the lone goal of the match in the 47^th minute of action off a pass by senior Kiana Kukaua.
 
The victory marked Fitzgerald's 75^th career win at the helm, all of them coming while with the Cowgirls, donning the blue and gold.

This will be the first time since 2008 the blue and gold will make an SLC Championship appearance and fourth time competing for the tournament title.
 
The Cowgirls are going to face the winner between tonight's matchup of Lamar and Northwestern State for a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Notes
- This is the first time since 2008 the Cowgirls will be in the championship game.
- The last time they were in the championship match, the tournament was hosted in Lake Charles.
- Jackie Kelly had nine saves in the matchup compared to HCU's three.
- The Cowgirls were outshot 17-7 in the duel.
- McNeese had one more corner kick than the Huskies with three.
- Schooley earned her second goal of the season and second game-winning goal of her career.