Photo by Kyle Mazabob, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Athletics
No. 6 McNeese Upsets No. 3 Northwestern State in Opening Round
Southland Conference
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2016 Tournament Central
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- The No. 6 McNeese Cowgirls upended the No. 3 Northwestern State Lady Demons with an overtime goal in the opening round of the 2016 Southland Conference Soccer Tournament. Sophomore midfielder Dayna Garcia netted the decisive goal for the Cowgirls to punch their ticket to the semifinals against No. 2 Stephen F. Austin on Friday.
Both teams played a physical first-half game, with eight total fouls committed between the two sides – six by Northwestern State. McNeese was anchored by an exceptional performance in the middle third by the midfield and defensive line which stifled any attempt to move the ball into their defensive third.
McNeese had their way in their offensive third during the first half, registering eight shots with two on goal and holding Northwestern State to three with one on goal. Sophomore forward Nola Prickett registered both shots on goal for the Cowgirls while Second Team All-Conference forward Savannah LaRicci logged two of her own. 2016 Goalkeeper of the Year Alex Latham comfortably notched two saves for the Lady Demons to keep the game scoreless entering halftime.
The Cowgirls continued their up-tempo play in the second half, taking just four minutes to send a dangerous cross just in front of the Lady Demon goal immediately before senior midfielder Bettina Brulhart sent her second shot of the day just over Latham’s crossbar.
Northwestern State came close with a dangerous run into the center of the box, just barely cut off by Cowgirl goalkeeper Annie Bravenec. McNeese continued to threaten for most of the final 45 before the Lady Demons finally created some scoring opportunities of their own. A corner from the Cowgirls was barely palmed away by Latham before a return header again sailed just over her crossbar.
Northwestern State threatened Bravenec’s goal with a run through the center of the box from Cache’ Haley that was just barely scooped by the keeper before she could a foot on it. The Lady Demons would find their way into the box again before a stifling Cowgirl defense closed in and it was gathered by Bravanec.
The story of the night continued for McNeese when another shot sailed just over Latham’s bar, this time from a free kick header. Northwestern State had the last word in regulation, when their best chance of the night, a driving shot from substitute and 2016 Newcomer of the Year April Trowbridge, skidded just wide and left past the Cowgirls goal at the 90-minute whistle.
McNeese was on their heels entering overtime, but wasted no time with their first real scoring opportunity. Sophomore substitute midfielder Dayna Garcia made a blistering run from the left side into the box, where a charging Latham found the ball between her legs and in the back of net 3:27 into the overtime period.
McNeese had a dominating advantage on possession, shown by notching 19 shots compared to Northwestern State’s four for the match. A versatile roster saw McNeese have 10 different players register shots. The Cowgirl offense forced five saves from Latham while Bravenec was only made to notch one.
The Cowgirls will have a day of rest before facing off against No. 2 Stephen F. Austin on Friday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m.
Dayna Garcia, McNeese midfielder:
"It was awesome. The moment I scored I knew all our hard work payed off. We did it for our seniors to continue their season.”
Gabi D’Alesandro, McNeese defender:
“I felt like our team defensively as a whole stayed composed and everyone did their job the way they were supposed to. The last moments of the game we were all focused on the same goal. We all wanted to win for ourselves and our seniors.”
Drew Fitzgerald, McNeese head coach:
“We felt like we created enough chances to score a goal but we weren't quite sure how it would come. Clayton found a way up the field and found Dayna for the goal. We are incredibly proud of our team for the fight they put in over a very good Northwestern State team.
We will prepare for the (Stephen F. Austin) game as if it were any match. We have a scouting report already on them and we will watch more film.”
George Van Linder, Northwestern State head coach:
“We had a lot of good chances, and it’s one of those things like in basketball where sometimes you’re hitting your shots, and sometimes you aren’t. And we weren’t today. We had a lot of great chances to put this away today, and we didn’t. I’m proud of the fight and the effort, and they took the loss hard today. Credit to McNeese, who took advantage of their chance in overtime.”
On offensive struggles:
“We struggled and we realized the diagonal ball coming in would work for us, and that’s how we had some of those chances. We were a little frustrated, and we had that chance (Trowbridge shot at end of regulation) and a couple of others. I’m proud of the effort they gave, and we felt like one would come in overtime. We came close but didn’t do it.”
On the defensive play:
“The defense has been great all year, just unfortunate it ended the way it did. The attacking players want to be in a situation where they can score those goals, and it doesn’t have to be so close for the defending players. We’re certainly proud of Alex (Latham) and Patry (Carrion), and they showed why they are the best at their positions.”