SLU soccer returns home to host McNeese, Northwestern State
Published 3:04 pm Thursday, October 7, 2021
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The Southeastern Louisiana University women’s soccer team returns home for the first time since Aug. 27 when they host McNeese Friday night at 7 p.m. and Northwestern State Sunday at 1 p.m. at Strawberry Stadium.
The Lady Lions (5-5-1, 3-2-1 Southland) played the last eight matches away from home following Hurricane Ida’s direct hit to the southeast part of the state. Despite 43 days without a home match, the Lady Lions held their own on the lengthy road trip finishing 4-3-1 for the eight-matches.
“No one could really prepare for what that hurricane was going to bring,” said SLU women’s soccer head coach Chris McBride. “We faced a lot of adversity but I was really proud of our players and their attitude towards the long road trip. We lost a couple of close ones that I felt we played well enough to win in but we competed well in all eight of those matches. But we’re excited to finally be back at home after all this time.”
SLU is coming off a pair of road wins last weekend at Nicholls and Louisiana Tech resulting in Haylli Roe being named Southland Defensive Player of the Week while Nadine Maher earned conference Keeper of the Week honors.
Southeastern will play the final six matches of the regular season all in the confines of Strawberry stadium beginning Friday with McNeese (8-3-1, 5-1-0 Southland).
The Lady Lions dropped a tough one to the Cowgirls back on Sept. 12 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Southeastern was outshot 19-7 as McNeese scored in the 52nd minute for the match’s only goal. SLU and McNeese have played four straight one goal matches with each team winning two.
The Cowgirls lead the league in least goals allowed as they’ve yielded just six goals in 12 matches. Goalkeeper Jackie Kelly has allowed just five goals in 10 matches with 35 saves and three shutouts.
Following Friday’s match, SLU will welcome Northwestern State (4-4-3, 4-1-1 Southland) to town Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. The Lady Lions will be looking to avenge a 1-0 loss to the Lady Demons as well back on Sept. 10 in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
SLU outshot Northwestern State 14-5 but NSU’s first half goal by Olivia Draguicevich, who leads the Southland with seven goals, was enough for the Lady Demons to hang on for the win.
The Lady Demons are also led by Southland Conference Keeper of the Year Acelya Aydogmus. The senior has five shutouts for the season, which leads the league, and 56 saves.
Both matches will be streamed via ESPN+ with links to both matches will be available at the Southeastern soccer schedule page located 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.
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