LAKE CHARLES – McNeese Cowgirl soccer continued its perfect start Thursday night with a 2-0 victory over Jackson State at Cowgirl Field, improving to 3-0 on the season and marking the first time since 2016 the Cowgirls have opened a season with three consecutive victories.
"Tonight was a gritty team win, and I'm really proud of the way we stayed composed and played our game," said head coach
Alexsis Cable. "I told the girls before the game that we had to weather the storm, and I thought they did that perfectly."
The victory marked the ninth win in program history over the Tigers and extended McNeese's winning streak against Jackson State to six matches.
The Cowgirls wasted little time finding the back of the net as Louisiana Gatorade Girls' Soccer Player of the Year
Isabella Baltov scored her first collegiate goal in the eighth minute.
Morgan Fiedler provided the assist as Baltov's finish gave McNeese an early 1-0 advantage.
McNeese carried the lead into halftime before the physicality picked up in the second half, with four yellow cards issued between the 65th and 78th minutes.
The Cowgirls added to their lead in the 67th minute when
Emma Korhonen connected with
Elizabeth Edomwonyi, who found the back of the net to give McNeese a 2-0 advantage.
The Cowgirls' defense held Jackson State scoreless for the remainder of the match as goalkeeper
Shannon Dempsey recorded her first career solo shutout. The clean sheet marked McNeese's second consecutive shutout of the season.
With the win, McNeese improves to 3-0-0 on the season and has opened the year with three consecutive victories for the first time since 2016.
"Now we have a quick turnaround to prepare for Sunday against North Texas. It's no secret I spent the last five seasons there and most of my playing career there, so it's definitely still a place that means a lot to me," said Cable. "I'd be lying if I said I haven't had this one circled on the calendar since I accepted this job, but once that whistle blows it's about our players and our team. We're excited for the challenge and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure our girls are ready."
Match Notes
- Cowgirls pick up sixth consecutive win over Jackson State
- McNeese begins the season 3-0 for the first time since 2016
- Isabella Baltov netted her first collegiate goal in the 8th minute of play
- Elizabeth Edomwonyi netted her second collegiate goal in the 67th minute of play
- Morgan Fielder and Emma Korhonen were both credited with assists on the night
- 24 Cowgirls saw action on the pitch today against Jackson State
- Sophia Hull made her first collegiate start this evening against the Tigers
- Brooklyn Gonerway and Naveah Nguyen made their Cowgirl debuts against Jackson State
- Shannon Dempsey had a career and season high seven saves on the night capturing her first collegiate shutout
- The Cowgirls outshot the Tigers 24-10 on the night
Next Up
The Cowgirls return home Sunday, Aug. 23, at 1 p.m. to take on North Texas. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
