THIBODAUX, LA -- McNeese State's women's soccer team clinched the sixth spot in this week's Southland Conference Tournament here today with a 1-0 win over Nicholls State. The Cowgirls will be one of six teams playing for the right to represent the SLC in the NCAA Tournament in this week's Southland Conference Tournament.

"This was a very big win for us as it qualifies us for the Southland Conference Tournament. We've had a great run at the end of the season, we put ourselves in a hole the beginning of the SLC race but have played well in the last couple of weeks to go into the tournament on a four game winning streak," said head coach Scooter Savoie.

Audrey LaLanne's third goal of the season and second game winning goal of the season proved to be enough for the Cowgirl victory. After a scoreless first half, LaLanne scored the goal in the 56th minute off a Jana Barrow assist. McNeese outshot the Colonels 19-10, attempting 10 shots in the first half and nine in the second. Cowgirl goalie Cassandra Read picked up her fifth shutout of the season and turned back what would have been the tying goal in the 85th minute. Nicholls' Sam Etherington attempted a header but Read made the save to secure the Cowgirl win.

"We found the back of the net ten minutes into the half and that turned out to be the difference in the match."

Alana Clark led the Cowgirls' attack with seven shots, Barrow followed with four shots. LaLanne and Lindsey Zwahr were credited with two apiece.

"The key to our victory today was controlling the midfield which allowed us to control the ball."

McNeese will face fifth seed Stephen F. Austin at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the tournament's opening game. All five games of the tournament will be streamed live for free on SLC Now, available at www.Southland.org.