HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer team returns home for the first time in 19 days when they host the University of Incarnate Word Friday at 7 p.m. and Abilene Christian Sunday at 1 p.m. in a pair of Southland contests.
 
"It's been a long three weeks on the road," said third-year SLU soccer head coach Chris McBride. "We've covered a lot of miles so it will be good to be back home and play in Strawberry Stadium in front of our fans."
 
Friday's match is National Scarf Day and the first 200 fans will receive an SLU Soccer scarf. Sunday is Youth Day as Little Lion fans are encouraged to participate in activities in conjunction with the match.
 
The Lady Lions (1-6-1, 0-1 Southland) are coming off a 1-0 loss at McNeese in the conference opener last Sunday. SLU goalkeeper Nadine Maher saved 10 shots in the match facing 19 shots and 11 on goal. The Dublin, Ireland native is tied for third in the Southland in saves with 38.  
 
While things have not gone the Lady Lions' way the last few matches, the team remains optimistic going into the weekend.
 
"All we are missing is putting together a full 90 minutes," said McBride. "We've had spells in each game but we have yet to put a full game together. That's all we are asking of our athletes this week is to be locked in the whole match."
 
UIW (2-6, 1-0 Southland) defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in overtime Friday night at home, 1-0. The Cardinals scored on a penalty kick from Keely Ayala to give them the victory. Ayala, a sophomore from Wichita Falls, Texas, has scored five of the team's six goals on the season.
 
"Keeley has been great in front of goal this year," said McBride. "We will need to make sure we try to limit the shots she takes, and watch her supporting players around her." 
 
Friday marks the seventh meeting all-time between Southeastern and UIW. The Lady Lions lead the series 4-1-1 with the two teams playing to a 1-1 tie last year in San Antonio, Texas.
 
Sunday, the Lady Lions will take on reigning Southland Conference Tournament champion Abilene Christian (5-2-1, 1-0 Southland). ACU is coming off a terrific week where they played 22^nd-ranked Baylor to a 1-1 tie and rolled past Houston Baptist, 4-1, in the Southland opener.
 
The Wildcats are led by freshman Natalie Jones. The Lubbock, Texas native leads ACU with five goals and two assists through eight matches. Abilene Christian also returns three first team All-Southland selections from 2018 including forward Christina Arteaga, midfielder Shay Johnson and defender Michelle Rooney. 
 
"Arteaga is one of the best player in the conference," said McBride. "Along with numerous others, they have a lot of weapons up top and we will have to be at our best to contain them."
 
ACU lead the all-time series against SLU 5-1 including a 1-0 win last year in Abilene, Texas.
 
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.