CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - For the first time since the 2008 campaign, the McNeese soccer team (9-7-4, 5-3-2 SLC) will make an appearance in the Southland Conference Championship Match against Lamar (14-2-3, 9-0-1 SLC) Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Dr. Jack Dugan Soccer and Track Stadium.

"We're obviously excited to be in the SLC title match," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald. "Our team has been fully committed to a very difficult style of play that people outside the soccer world, and many in it, can't seem to grasp."

The team has committed and bought into this style of play and have used it to advance over sixth-seeded Southeastern and seventh-seeded HCU in the SLC Championships.

"I heard last night on the broadcast that we, the three seed, upset HCU, the seven seed.  I think that speaks to the lack of comprehension and respect for what our team has done so far."

Fitzgerald continued praising the team by saying," The players have competed every day in training sessions and matches and have EARNED the right to celebrate being here."

The last time McNeese made the SLC Championships was when the Cowgirls hosted the tournament in 2008 when Fitzgerald was an assistant coach.

Sunday's matchup is scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+ with a subscription necessary with live stats also available to viewers.

 Path to the Title Match
- McNeese won its first penalty kick shootout in program history in the SLC Opening Round 4-3 after tying 1-1.
- The Cowgirls advanced to the title match for the first time since 2008 after defeating HCU 1-0 in regulation.
- Jackie Kelly has allowed 0.45 goals against on average in the tournament with 19 saves in the process.
- McNeese last shut out an opponent at the SLC Championships in 2021 against Nicholls.
- Morgan Schooley earned her first game-winning goal of the season against HCU.
- Kaile Kukaua scored her seventh goal of the season to take the early lead on Southeastern in the opening round.

McNeese Notes
- In the victory over Southeastern, the Cowgirls won their first penalty kick shootout in program history. They had one prior in 2017 against Abilene Christian in which they lost 3-5.
- McNeese has tied a program high in ties in a season at four.
- Kaile Kukaua is one of nine known returners in D1 soccer to enter the season without a collegiate goal to go on to score multiple, now with seven.
- Jackie Kelly is fourth in the nation with a save percentage of .894 which also leads the conference..
- The team's save percentage of .866 places them 11th in Division I soccer.
- The Cowgirls saw five members of the team named to the All-Southland Conference Teams.
- Kaile Kukaua - 1st Team, Kiana Kukaua - 2nd Team, Morgan Schooley - 2nd Team, Magalie Depot - 2nd Team, Jackie Kelly - 2nd Team
- The Cowgirls have the third-least goals scored on them this season in the conference at 19.
- Jackie Kelly earned her second SLC Goalkeeper of the Week honor (10/17) after posting a shutout against Northwestern State and allowing one goal to Southeastern. Her former honor came the week of 9/26 where she faced TAMU-CC and Nicholls.
- Alexi Pitt was the second player to earn SLC Defensive Player of the Week recognition (10/17) after scoring her first collegiate goal to tie Southeastern.
- Martine Ellefsen was named SLC Defensive Player of the Week (9/26) after scoring her first collegiate goal against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to force a tie.
- The Cowgirls have taken and made three penalty kicks this season after not having a single attempt a year ago.

Lamar Match Preview
- Lamar defeated Northwestern State 5-4 in penalty kicks to advance after a 1-1 tie. The Cardinals had a first-round bye.
- Lamar saw 10 members of its team named to the All-Southland Conference teams.
- Lamar narrowly holds the all-time advantage over McNeese at 8-6-1.
- The Cowgirls look to avenge a 2-1 loss earlier this season.