Blue and Green Drop Decision Against McNeese

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - After a two-win weekend and a record-setting performance at Northwestern State last week, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ended up on the wrong end of 2-0 decision at home in this year's annual 'Pink Game' in support of breast cancer awareness.

With first place McNeese coming to town, the Islanders looked to extend their win streak to three straight against the Cowgirls, and more firmly take a hold of a spot in this year's Southland Conference Championship. The night started off at a fast pace with both sides looking to get out to an early 1-0 lead on the evening. The hosting Blue and Green tested McNeese's keeper early with three shots on goal in the opening 10 minutes, as a high arching ball from midfielder Ashley Hamilton nearly found its way across the goal line. The night's host would look the better team for the majority of the first half, with their first five shots of the night all testing the Cowgirls' netminder. 

The visiting side would be the first to open the scoring however, after SLC leading scorer Savannah LaRicci registered her 11th tally of the year on a valley from the top of the 18. Starting Islander goaltender Kyleigh Hall would get a hand to it, but was unable to locate the shot soon enough to keep it out of the net. The starting netminder would play superbly through the opening half, making five saves in those first 45 minutes alone and finish the night with a career-high of 10. The Islanders' best chance in the first half would come in the 38th after senior Brooke Erdmann beat an offsides trap set by the McNeese defense, the backline would recover on the streaking forward however, and distributed a tackle before the shot could be aimed on frame.

Corpus Christi's freshman goalkeeper would be up to task at the start of the second half, after a looping McNeese shot from 30 yards out looked destined to land just inside the left post. Hall was able to make her diving stop look routine with a good step toward the left post however, holding onto the shot without a rebound. Erdmann would get the Islanders' first shot of the second, as the visiting side looked content to play possession through the greater part of the latter 45, holding the Islanders to four shots in the half. With a one-goal lead in hand the Cowgirls were able to extend that difference to two during the 71st off a goal from Kayla Goedicke. The Islanders would muster an attack late, with defender Alexis Urch grabbing her second shot on goal of the season, but without a conversion the home team was forced to take a 2-0 defeat on the night.

• Keeper Kyleigh Hall would finish with a career-best 10 saves, an individual high for Islander keepers this season
• Kaitlyn Joy recorded two shots on goal on Friday, despite starting the night on defense. A rash of injuries has forced the forward to drop back into the defensive corps, as Joy has made four consecutive starts on the backline
• The Islanders are not the first Southland side to be held scoreless by McNeese this season. The Cowgirls have not been scored on since September 29th
• Hamilton's shot was her second to reach frame this season, as the sophomore midfielder played 85 minutes against the Cowgirls. She's played at least 85 in her previous four matches individually
• Forward Emily Keoughan tied a team-high with two shots on goal. She's hit frame 11 times in the Islanders' last 10 matches
• After tonight's match, Brooke Erdmann sits two caps away from setting a program appearance record. She currently has 69 over her four-year career

COMING UP NEXT
The Blue and Green stay at home this Sunday with a day time matchup against Lamar. The Islanders are on a three-match win streak against the Cardinals, and have not lost to the side since their inaugural season in 2013. Islander fans get a chance to say goodbye during this Sunday's Senior Night, as Brooke Erdmann, Jordan Wainwright, Andi Bethard and Christina Remmes take to Dugan Field for a final time in their careers.