LAKE CHARLES, La. – McNeese Soccer opens the 2024 campaign Thursday evening by hosting UL-Lafayette to renew the Battle of I-10 rivalry at Cowgirl Field.
 
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Charles, La. (Cowgirl Field)
Records: McNeese 0-0-0, UL-Lafayette 0-0-0
 
Match Notables
• The Ragin' Cajuns hold the all-time series lead at 4-8-3 with the Pokes taking the last meeting 3-0 at home.
• McNeese owns a two-game wins streak against ULL, the longest for the pro­gram.
• Both squads initially met in 2003 in a double-overtime 0-0 draw.
• Coach Fitzgerald holds a 3-2-1 record when coaching against Coach McBride.
• McNeese and ULL met in an exhibition before the 2023 campaign with the latter taking a 2-1 victory at Cowgirl Field.
 
McNeese Notes
• Three Cowgirls were named to the SLC Preseason First Team in Kaile Kukaua (Midfielder), Morgan Schooley (Defender), and Jackie Kelly (Goalkeeper)
• The Pokes were selected to finish third in the SLC preseason poll behind Lamar in the top spot and Texas A&M-Commerce in second.
• McNeese did not have any players transfer out from the program following the 2023 SLC Runner-Up finish at the conference tournament.
• 22 players remain Cowgirls after graduating seven players last season.
• The team's newcomers are comprised of 12 freshman and two transfers with three coming before the spring semester.
• McNeese returns three of its five All-Southland Team selections in Kaile Kukaua, Jackie Kelly, and Morgan Schooley. All three of them earned All-Tournament recognition last season.
• The Cowgirls look to build upon their SLC Runner-Up bid in 2023, the first time the team has made it to the championship match since 2008.
• McNeese will travel to UTRGV and host Stephen F. Austin, welcoming both to the conference beginning this season.
• McNeese hosted its lone exhibition of the season against Tarleton State, falling 1-0.
 
UL-Lafayette Notes
• The Ragin' Cajuns haven't played an exhibition match this season ahead of the 2024 campaign.
• The squad played in a red-white scrimmage where a total of three goals were scored by Adeline Nemeth, Sophie Placke, and Chloe Mueller.
• Fellow Southland opponents on tap for UL-Lafayette include Northwestern St., Lamar, and UTRGV.
• Coach McBride improved the program from three victories in 2022 to seven in 2023.