The soccer team will play its final final two home games this weekend against Lamar and McNeese State, looking to stay in the conference title hunt..
At home this season the women are 3-0-0 in conference and 4-2-1 overall.
“Getting to play another weekend at home is a confidence booster,” said freshman forward Samantha Vestal. “Anytime we get to be at home we get an advantage to know how the field is and know exactly how we are going to play. Knowing that these will be the last home games of the season is a little crazy to me. That means the season is coming to an end and that means we need to grind out as hard as we can to stay on top.”
Heading into this weekend, junior midfielder Chloe Fifer leads the team in points with 11 as she has put up two goals and seven assists this season.
Seniors Kelsie Roberts and Natalie Throneberry lead the team in goals with three a piece.
Senior goalkeeper Sydney Newton was named Southland Conference goalkeeper of the week last week. She has earned a total of 60 saves this season and has posted a .870 save percentage with a .79 goals against average.
“It really is an advantage for us to be home for another weekend,” said sophomore defender Caity Acosta. “Not having to travel is a plus, but also being on our field with our fans gives us that extra pride we need.”
For Lamar, redshirt junior midfielder M.J. Eckart leads the team with five goals on the season. She also leads the team in points with ten and in minutes played with 1,279.
Freshman goalkeeper Rachel Gries has put up 70 saves this season and has also earned a .753 save percentage with a 2.32 goals against average.
For McNeese State, redshirt junior forward/midfielder Savannah Laricci has dominated statistically being the leader in goals for the team with seven, tied for the team lead in assists with five, and leading the team in points with 19.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Annie Bravenec has made 41 saves this season and has put up a .683 save percentage with a 1.73 goals against average.
“Lamar and McNeese are both scrappy teams that we should not underestimate,” Acosta said. “We have learned to not overlook any team in our conference. After all, anything can happen in a game of soccer. We’ve been focusing in practice and working hard so I think it’ll be a fun last home weekend.”
The Wildcats (4-1-1, 5-7-2) are scheduled to face Lamar (0-4-2, 1-11-2) on Friday and McNeese State (2-4-0, 6-7-0) on Sunday.
