RUSTON, La. | The Grambling State University women's soccer team battled throughout 90 minutes Sunday afternoon but fell to McNeese, 1-0, at the Ruston Sports Complex.
The Tigers (1-4-1) held the Cowgirls (5-3) scoreless over the final 74 minutes, but an early goal by McNeese proved to be the difference as Grambling State was unable to find the equalizer.
McNeese's Sumayah Brown scored in the 16th minute, converting a pass from Rhiannon Maynes-Tourond to give the Cowgirls a 1-0 advantage at the 15:57 mark. The goal came after McNeese had tested Grambling State goalkeeper Alina Arneth with several early chances.
Arneth kept the Tigers within striking distance throughout the match, finishing with six saves on the afternoon. She made a pair of saves during the opening 45 minutes and added four more stops in the second half.
After falling behind, Grambling State continued to generate opportunities and nearly found the equalizer before halftime.
Jaleah Gonzalez registered two early shots for the Tigers, while Mariyah Bumgarner put a shot off the left woodwork in the ninth minute. Kennedy Farr later forced a save from McNeese goalkeeper Shannon Dempsey, and Kaylen Jankans had another shot saved with less than a minute remaining in the first half.
The Tigers entered halftime trailing 1-0 despite recording five shots during the opening period.
Grambling State continued to pressure the McNeese defense in the second half.
Kianna Logan forced a save from Dempsey in the 52nd minute, while Tyler Chernecki and Gonzalez each recorded second-half attempts. Olivia Kowall also tested Dempsey late in the match, but the McNeese goalkeeper made the stop with just over two minutes remaining.
The Tigers finished the match with nine shots, putting four on target. McNeese recorded 13 shots, including seven on goal. Grambling State also held a 6-3 advantage in saves by Arneth and earned two corner kicks compared with five for the Cowgirls.
Gonzalez led Grambling State with three shots, while Kowall, Jankans, Bumgarner, Logan, Farr and Chernecki also recorded attempts. Kowall, Jankans, Logan and Farr each put a shot on target.
Defensively, Grambling State limited McNeese to one goal despite the Cowgirls creating several opportunities throughout the match. Arneth's six saves helped keep the Tigers within one goal for the remainder of the contest.
The Tigers continued to battle for an equalizer down the stretch, but McNeese's defense held firm to preserve the shutout.
