LAKE CHARLES – Southeastern Louisiana sophomore Maddie Kresevic scored the game-winning goal in the 71^st minute to give the Lady Lion soccer team a 1-0 victory over McNeese State in the Southland Conference opener for both teams Friday night at Cowgirl Field.
 
The Lady Lions (6-1-1, 1-0 Southland) extended their unbeaten streak to five games with Friday's road victory. McNeese State fell to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
 
"We were very pleased with the effort tonight, especially in the second half," Southeastern head coach Blake Hornbuckle said. "We pressured well in the second half and were able to finish the opportunity we created against a good, organized McNeese State team."
 
Kresevic, a native of Solon, Ohio, finished a chance started by a corner kick from sophomore Ana Zadro. Junior Bri Singh was able to direct it to Kresevic, who sent it past McNeese State senior goalkeeper Lauren Sestak.
 
On the defensive end, Southeastern limited the Cowgirls to nine shots on the way to its fifth shutout of the season. SLU junior goalkeeper Hope Sabadash was credited with one save.
 
"Bri was a difference maker up top for us tonight," Hornbuckle said. "She did a nice job keeping possession and creating opportunities. Maddie Kresevic was very good in the back and did an excellent job getting us forward.
 
"Hope was once again very good in goal and cutting out opportunities," Hornbuckle added. "Maggie Ramsey was excellent with her distribution in the midfield. Gisenia picked up loose balls for us and helped us create opportunities. Katie Noonan was another key contributor in the midfield."
 
Southeastern will look to extend its unbeaten streak on Friday, Sept. 25, when it hosts Incarnate Word at 7 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium to kick off Alumni Weekend. All former SLU soccer student-athletes will be recognized at halftime.