LAKE CHARLES, La - The Jackson State women's soccer team was not able to take advantage of its scoring opportunities, falling 3-0 to McNeese State on Friday night at Cowgirl Field.

JSU (0-1) playing in its first match of the new season, finished with six shots in the game, to go along with three corner kicks but were not able to find the back of the net. 

McNeese State (1-0) scored in the 36th and 41st minute in the first half, the second of which coming off of a free kick. Another goal in the 76th minute allowed it to sustain its post-halftime momentum. The Cowgirls also were able to apply plenty of pressure early on and ultimately finished with an 19-6 advantage in shots.

"We are miles better than the last time we played them in 2019", head coach Dr. Ted Flogaites said. "While the mistakes cost us, I am hugely encouraged by the performance, and we had no dress rehearsals due to no exhibitions. We had some excellent individual performances, but we do have areas to address too, which is normal after a loss. We have a lot of potential as a team, but it will come down to how much unglamorous work we want to do, because victory has its seeds in work ethic, grit, and determination. Our evolution as a squad and as a program is far from complete, but we have come a long way since 2019, and our players deserve the credit for that. Our squad is the deepest it's been since I've been here so competition is really high, and we are amped about that. You want something, you really have to work for it just as it is in life. No freebies in life, no freebies in sports." 

Defensively, freshman goalkeeper Kora Fry got the start in the net and recorded six saves. Offensively, for the match the Lady Tigers had shots on goal by Zigi Ahortor, Brynn Walker, Maya-Joy Thompson, Annalise Brunson, and Meagan Picon. 

JSU looks to bounce back as they will travel to Jacksonville, Alabama to take on Jacksonville State Sunday, August 22 at the JSU Soccer Complex at 1 p.m. 

For all of the latest Jackson State women's soccer news, fans can follow the official JSU women's soccer Twitter account (@GoJSUTigersSOC), Instagram account (@gojsutigerssoc) and Facebook account (Jackson State Soccer).