LAKE CHARLES - The McNeese soccer team (2-4-0) fell to South Alabama (6-0-0) at Cowgirl Field 2-1 Sunday afternoon after a narrow and hard-fought match.

"I'm really proud of the girls and the effort they put in," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald. "I thought we played a great game and we always talk about competing. This was probably the best game we've competed in against the best team we've played so we really feel like we're making progress."

After just under 45 minutes of action, South Alabama scored the first goal of the match on a contested call in the first half with two seconds on the clock. McNeese bounced back at the 53' mark as junior Kaile Kukaua sent the ball to freshman Morgan Fiedler to even the match. The Jaguars made the winning goal in the 74th minute.

The Cowgirls continue to play at home next Sunday, September 10, at 1 p.m. against Southern in the Salute to Service matchup.

Notes
- Fiedler and Kukaua are both tied for the most goals on the team at three.
- Kukaua earned her second assist of the season and leads the team with eight points.
- Briana O'Dell faced 16 shots in the outing and earned nine saves.
- Salma Elhaimer led the team with two shots on goal.
- Morgan Schooley was the third player to attempt a shot for the Cowgirls.
- McNeese held the Jaguars to only 16 shots, the second least for the team.