Two Matches In The Pelican State For Texas State Soccer

The last four contests have all come out in the Cowgirls’ favor including three shutouts. Last time the Bobcats defeated McNeese was Oct. 21, 2011 at home by the score of 2-1.

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The first two of five consecutive road matches for the Texas State soccer team takes place this weekend in the state of Louisiana.

On Friday, the Bobcats face off at McNeese on Cowgirl Field at 7 p.m. The team then faces LSU at 1 p.m. on Sunday at LSU Soccer Stadium.

Heading into the weekend, TXST, LSU and McNeese are all 1-1-0 on the young season.

The Bobcats are coming off an opening weekend in which they dropped a 2-1 double overtime match at Louisiana Tech before bouncing back with a 1-0 victory over I-35 rival UTSA. Both goals were scored by Kaylee Davis.

The Allen, Texas native netted the team’s goal against the Lady Techsters 49 seconds into the contest and is the fastest on record in a season opener in program history. She followed with the long goal against the Roadrunners with 2:29 left in the match.

Both Haley Groff and Genesis Turman have been credited with an assist on the season. They both came on Davis’ tally over UTSA.

In net, Heather Martins has started both matches and in 135 minutes has recorded a 0.67 GAA, 10 saves and a .909 save percentage. Kathryn Budde recorded a save over the final 58 minutes in the match with the La Tech.

Scouting McNeese

Opening weekend saw McNeese begin with a 1-0 win at Prairie View A&M. The Cowgirls followed with a 1-0 loss at TCU. Friday is McNeese’s home opener and first of four straight at home. Coaching the Cowgirls is Drew Fitzgerald, who is in his third season and has compiled a 21-15-3 record.

Scoring the lone goal of the season is Havana Johnson. She also leads the team with nine shots and placed eight of them on goal. Assisting on the tally was Kelley Morrow. Anna Watson has taken four shots while both Nola Prickett, an All-Southland Conference Preseason First Team selection, and Morgan Middleton have attempted three apiece.

Emma Roccaforte has started both matches between the posts. The sophomore was a preseason all-conference first team pick. She comes into Friday’s contest with a 0.50 GAA, .917 save percentage and 11 stops.

Series vs. Cowgirls

Texas State leads the all-time series over McNeese 17-9-1. The teams were scheduled to play last season in San Marcos but the match was canceled because of Hurricane Harvey.

The last four contests have all come out in the Cowgirls’ favor including three shutouts. Last time the Bobcats defeated McNeese was Oct. 21, 2011 at home by the score of 2-1.

When playing in Lake Charles, TXST is 5-4-1 all-time. The last victory for the Bobcats on Cowgirl Field was a 1-0 overtime contest on Oct. 17, 2010.

Scouting LSU

LSU dropped its season opener on Sunday to Villanova 2-1 in overtime at home. Thursday night saw the Tigers travel to Lynchburg, Virginia to face Liberty and come away with a 1-0 victory.

Tallying goals for LSU has been Abbey Newton and Alex Thomas. The lone assist of the year was credited to Adrienne Richardson, coming on Newton’s match-winning score against the Flames.

Both Lucy Parker and Newton have taken a team-high seven shots. Richardson has five shot attempts on the year while Tinaya Alexander and Shannon Cooke have two shots apiece to their names.

Caroline Brockmeier has played all 183 minutes in goal. She has posted three saves with a .600 save percentage and has a 0.93 GAA.

Series vs. Tigers

Sunday will be the first-ever meeting between LSU and Texas State. It will also be the first match against a Southeastern Conference member for the Bobcats. There have been three contests against Texas A&M, but all came when the Aggies were in the Big 12 Conference.

Live stats will be available for both matches. A video stream of Friday’s match with McNeese is available with links on the soccer schedule page.

For more information on the Texas State soccer team, visit the official website of Texas State Athletics at www.txstatebobcats.com, like on Facebook at Texas State Soccer and follow on Instagram and Twitter at @TxStateSoccer.

Goals2Cure: https://pledgeit.org/goals2cure2018

McNeese Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/mcneese/wsoc/

McNeese Video: https://mcneesesports.com/watch/?Live=1628&type=Live

LSU Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=221234

Game Notes: http://txstatebobcats.com/sports/2017/8/16/soccer-game-notes.aspx?path=wsoc