McNeese head soccer coach Scooter Savoie earned his 100th career win Sunday as the Cowgirls battled for a 1-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe at Cowgirl Field.

“This was a good win for our program today,” said Savoie. “We knew that Louisiana-Monroe was going to challenge us and test us all the way to the end. We showed a lot of character by the way we fought today and how we stepped up to secure the victory in the end.”

McNeese (3-1-0) picked up its third straight victory since dropping the season opener to Jacksonville State.

Savoie is the winningest coach in program’s history and has been head coach all but three years since starting the program in 1996.

“This win today means a lot not just for me but for our program,” said Savoie. “The players that started our program and built our program and the players I had the opportunity to coach when we came back in 2003 and build into a championship program mean so much. This win means that I have been very lucky to work with some great talent in the sport of soccer.”

The Cowgirls started strong, taking four of the first five shots of the match. Haley Lyons challenged in the 23rd minute, but the Warhawks goalie denied the chance.

Louisiana-Monroe had trouble finding rhythm in the first half, but were able to pressure McNeese’s keeper Maggie Marks several times. Kylie Kukowski and Jenna Floyd had two shots on goal in the first 15 minutes that were corralled by Marks.

In the 39th minute, the Cowgirls had one of their best chances when freshman Kendall Vardell fired a shot that was saved and junior Jordan Beasley and senior Callie Allbright fired off shots that were high,

The Cowgirls came out with more energy in the second half with shots by Vardell and Lyons. McNeese was able to find the back of the net in the 59th minute for the match’s only goal. Junior Tori Lasiter knocked in her third goal of the season off the pass from Vardell and shot up the middle past to give the Cowgirls the lead.

McNeese faced some danger in the 77th minute when Louisiana-Monroe set up for a corner kick. The Warhawks midfielder Allie Dickinson’s chance was saved by Marks to secure the 1-0 lead.

“The defense settled down and worked together in the second half,” said sophomore defender Sarah Bricker. “We stuck our tackles and won the air-game. We are looking better each and every game.”

McNeese will wrap its six-game homestand next weekend welcoming Texas State on Sept. 6 and Louisiana Tech on Sept. 8.

(MGNonline)