BOX SCORE

LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Prairie View A&M women's soccer team fought hard but fell just short in their season-opening contest Friday at McNeese State, as the Cowgirls claimed a 1-0 victory.
 

McNeese's Krista Steinbeiser notched the lone tally for the Cowgirls when her shot from 20 yards out beat PVAMU goalie Dominique Dillon in the 23rd minute.

Dillon made three saves and kept the Panthers in striking distance the whole game. 

Though McNeese had the first opportunity to score from a set play, it was Prairie View that had the first strong opportunity to strike. Barely six minutes into the contest, Melissa Kalbfleisch got free and fired a shot toward the McNeese goal, only to be turned away by McNeese keeper Maggie Marks.

After recording only one shot in the first half, the Panthers regrouped after the midgame break and recorded four more shots, though they were denied an equalizer.

Kalbfleisch nearly leveled the score in the 68th minute when her shot hit the side post. Dominique Paige had her chance for an equal in the 76th minute, but was denied by Marks.

Other than the lone blemish, the PVAMU defense, anchored by SWAC preseason Defensive Player of the Year Debbie Arguelles, held strong and limited McNeese's chances during the final hour of the match.

The Lady Panthers return to action Friday, Aug. 29, when they head to Houston to face the University of St. Thomas. It will be the first official contest in the history of the UST women's program.