LAKE CHARLES, La. – Sierra Sisco's goal in the 34th minute lifted McNeese State to a 1-0 victory over the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's soccer team on Friday night. The Cowgirls improved to 4-6-1 overall and 2-2-0 in Southland play, while the Islanders are now 2-5-2 and 1-3-0 in the league.
"We have to find a way to win on the road," head coach Shanna Caldwell said. "We had opportunities, but we really forced it down the middle and weren't taking advantage of space out wide. McNeese played hard from the start and had something to prove from last weekend. So credit to them for finishing their chance. We can't fall asleep marking in the box.
"We have to turn around next weekend and play strong for the full 90," she added, "and do better connecting and working off the ball."
Megan Delaney made eight saves for the Islanders in a losing effort, while Lauren Sestak turned aside all four shots the visitors put on frame to earn a shutout. The Cowgirls avenged last year's loss to the Islanders, in which Alyssa Miller scored a golden goal to sink McNeese in overtime.
Early on, the Cowgirls held a slight advantage, but their attempts toward goal all sailed wide of the frame. Yvette Franco then had a strong opportunity, but her effort glanced off the crossbar in the 21st minute, and the game remained scoreless.
McNeese was able to change that in the 34th. Krista Steinbeiser took a corner kick and sent it toward the back post. Tori Lasiter's initial chance was stopped, Sisco collected the rebound, and she was able to put it into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead at the 33:02 mark.
The Cowgirls continued their pressure out of the break, but Delaney was up to the task, turning aside a Nickie Schaaf header in the 51st, then making a crucial save on Gabi D'Alesandro in the 60th. The Islanders attempted to mount a comeback, but Sestak was able to finish off the clean sheet, her final save coming on an Aulona Velaj attempt in the 80th minute.
A&M-Corpus Christi will be back in action in one week, as they take on Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium.
