LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Texas State soccer team fell on the road to McNeese Friday night at Cowgirl Field 2-1 to open a road trip in the Pelican State.
 
With the loss, the Bobcats drop to 1-2-0 on the season while the Cowgirls are now 2-1-0 overall.
 
McNeese got on to the scoreboard early in the eighth minute when a miscommunication between Kathryn Budde and a defender allowed for the ball to bounce away from both of them. It ended up at the feet of Havana Johnson, who put the ball into the back of the net.
 
In the 17^th minute, Renny Moore received a pass from Jordan Kondikoff. Following two touches to get closer to the center of the field, the sophomore ripped a high shot past the Cowgirls' goalkeeper to tie the match at 1-1.
 
Just over six minutes later, McNeese nearly retook the lead on a corner kick. The Cowgirls' Nola Prickett took a shot that was going to go in if not for Jessica Pikoff being at the left post to block it. The immediate follow-up attempt went high over the crossbar.
 
The Cowgirls went ahead 2-1 in the 52^nd minute when Anna Watson got a round a couple of defenders to send a low pass across the frame of goal. Mariah Ruelas was there to knock in the shot from a short distance away.
 
Just a couple of minutes later the Bobcats had a chance to retie the match when Alley Kewish sent in a cross from the right side. Kaylee Davis was able to get her head on it but was unable to direct towards goal. The ball trickled across the frame but no player was there to knock it in the open net.
 
Halfway through the 82^nd minute the Cowgirls were awarded a penalty kick when a player easily went down after a slight bump. Heather Martin came up big with a stop on the penalty attempt as she dived to her right to corral the low shot.
 
Nearly three minutes later Genesis Turman sent a service into the box that Davis leapt up to head while battling a defender. She was able to get a little bit of the ball but was unable to direct the ball at goal as it when wide of the left post.
 
Kondikoff took a game-high three shots with one on goal. Davis was the only other Bobcat with multiple shot attempts on the night with two.
 
Budde made two stops in the first half and Martin recorded a save in the final 45 minutes.
 
This weekend's road trip concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m. at LSU.
 
For more information on the Texas State soccer team, visit the official website of Texas State Athletics at www.txstatebobcats.com, like on Facebook at Texas State Soccer and follow on Instagram and Twitter at @TxStateSoccer.