The McNeese Cowgirl soccer program is set to begin its 2026 regular season on Thursday, August 13, when it hosts Alcorn State at Key City Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., marking the first of what promises to be a tightly contested series between the two schools.
Series History
The matchup represents the fifth meeting in program history, a series in which the Cowgirls hold a 3‑0‑1 record, underscoring a dominant early edge that the team hopes to preserve.
The team arrives with fresh momentum after a 7‑0 exhibition victory over LSU‑Eunice, a game that saw six different players find the net, including a two‑goal performance by Morgan Fiedler.
Coaching Vision
Head coach Alexsis Cable, in her first year at the helm, brings five seasons of assistant experience at North Texas, where she helped shape a competitive midfield unit before stepping onto the sidelines.
Returning goalkeepers Shannon Dempsey and Celeste Marijnissen, the latter having logged over 1,400 minutes of play last season, are expected to anchor the defense, while 16 fresh faces — including 12 freshmen and four transfers — add depth and variety.
International Influence
Internationally, the squad showcases players from Canada, Panama, Sweden and the Netherlands, though only two athletes hail from Louisiana, highlighting the program’s growing geographic reach.
Preseason Outlook
Preseason polls placed McNeese ninth in the Southland Conference and Alcorn State fourth in the SWAC, the latter having earned two first‑place votes and three players — including midfielder Annick Zouma, named Midfielder of the Year — on the all‑SWAC first team.
Rhiannon Maynes‑Tourond, who led the team with six goals in the previous season, is also slated to return, providing an additional offensive option as the team looks to build on its early success.