LAKE CHARLES, La. – Delana Friesen scored in the 52^nd minute as McNeese defeated the Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer, 1-0, Sunday at Cowgirl Soccer Field in the Southland Conference opener for both teams.
                                                                                        
Despite the loss, the Lady Lions (1-6-1, 0-1-0 Southland) got a terrific performance from goalkeeper Nadine Maher. The junior from Dublin, Ireland recorded 10 saves while facing 19 shots and 11 on goal.
 
"Nadine made some great saves," said third-year SLU soccer head coach Chris McBride. She kept us in the game when it was 1-0 and gave us a chance to get back in it."
 
The Cowgirls (5-3-0) outshot Southeastern 19 to four for the match including Friesen's game winner on the assist from Rachel Palet.
 
"We didn't match McNeese's energy tonight," said McBride. "We lost first and second balls and when you do that against a quality opponent like McNeese they will punish you. They executed their game plan well and when we had the ball we had too many turnovers. Now, we will regroup and get ready for a home game on Friday."
 
SLU's Ellie Williams, Victoria Brackmann, Brogan Bernadas and Hannah Moffat each had shots while Williams recorded the only shot on goal.
 
MCN was led by Havana Johnson with four shots with two on goal while Keely Morrow had three shots with none on goal.
 
While Southeastern didn't get the result they wanted, they were able to make the adjustment against the corner kick which had haunted them in previous matches.
 
"We did much better against the corners tonight," said McBride. "We didn't lose our marker and we didn't allow them as much space to win the ball in our box."
 
SLU will return home next week for a pair of matches against Incarnate Word Friday night at 7 p.m. and  then will face reigning Southland Conference Tournament Champion Abilene Christian Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
The Southeastern Sports Network will offer a free video stream of both matches. Tune in online at www.LionSports.net or the Lions' Gameday Experience app for Android or iOS devices. Fans can also watch on Southeastern's YouTube channel (/SLUathletics) with any mobile, tablet or smart TV device (e.g., Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV and Roku). 
 
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
For more information on Southeastern Soccer, follow @SLUSoccer and @chrismcbride88 on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.