LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer team opens Southland Conference play Friday night on the road at 7 p.m. against McNeese at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.
 
The Lady Lions (1-5-1) concluded their non-conference schedule last week with a pair of road matches at 11^th-ranked Memphis (7-1-0) and Little Rock (3-4-2) falling in both. Southeastern also faced 14^th-ranked Tennessee (5-1-1) and Louisiana Tech (8-0-1) in the pre-conference schedule in preparation for Friday's conference opener.
 
Third-year SLU head soccer coach Chris McBride wants his team to keep the same mentality and not change for the conference schedule.
 
"We will still will prepare like we have been for each match," said McBride. "The mindset is still to get better every day and perform as best as we can regardless of who the opponent is."
 
Despite the difficult non-conference schedule, Southeastern showed some positives through the first seven matches. The Lady Lions fought gamely at Tennessee trailing just 1-0 in the 78^th minute before falling 2-0. SLU also battled undefeated Louisiana Tech for 90 minutes before losing, 1-0, in the season opener. Southeastern also cruised past Jackson State, 4-0, and battled ULM to a 1-1 tie.
 
Freshman Ellie Williams leads Southeastern with two goals on the season. The Frisco, Texas native scored both goals against Jackson State in the Lady Lions win at home Aug. 30.
Paityn Bretzer, a freshman, leads the Lady Lions with two assists. The Edmonton, Alberta, Canada native assisted on the first goal of the season when she played a beautiful corner kick to Mya Guillory. The second assist came against Jackson State when she played a cross to Williams.
 
SLU turns their attention to McNeese (4-3-0) Friday night. The Cowgirls, like the Lady Lions, played a rigorous non-conference schedule as well facing Arkansas, LSU and Louisiana Tech. MCN battled gamely against LSU falling 1-0 and losing at LTU, 3-2.
 
The Cowgirls are led by Anna Watson with five goals. The junior from Spring, Texas also leads the team with 14 shots and 10 on goal.
 
MCN will also have the services of honorable mention All-Southland goalkeeper Emma Roccaforte. The Nederland, Texas native returned against Texas State after missing the first six games with an injury. The junior notched eight saves in the win over TSU.
 
Southeastern has had the upper hand in the all-time series as they are 20-8-5 all-time against the Cowgirls. The Lady Lions defeated McNeese 2-1 at home last year when Brogan Bernadas scored in the 58^th minute to put the match away.
 
Live stats will be available for Friday's match at the Southeastern women's soccer schedule page at LionSports.net
 
SCORE ONE MORE CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the women's soccer program are encouraged to join the Score One More Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. All membership fees and donations to Score One More Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern soccer program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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