LAKE CHARLES- Northwestern State walked away with a win due to an unfortunate own goal by McNeese with just nine minutes remaining in Sunday's Southland Conference contest.
 
The Cowgirls (3-5-1, 3-4-1 SLC) looked strong and continued to take shape in their second match of the weekend. The Demons (8-1-1, 6-1-1) sits in second place in the conference standings with its lone loss coming to Lamar on Friday night.  
 
"Our group did a good job limiting chances and creating a few of our own," said head coach Drew Fitzgerald. "Their half time adjustments left them in control of the ball and put us on our heels. That said, they didn't get many decent looks until we made a mistake." 
 
1^st HALF: 
McNeese dominated possession for the beginning of the half swinging the ball back and forth across its back line. The Pokes saw a few opportunities early on from its goal leader Havana Johnson. Later in the half the Demons controlled possession and used the speed of their outside backs to attack the Cowgirl defense. Both teams put up three shots in the first half. McNeese's goalie Emma Roccaforte was a big part early on tallying three saves and cutting off multiple through balls when she needed to. NSU's goalie Acelya Aydogmus came up with two big stops in the net that came off McNeese corner kicks, she ended the half with three saves.  
 
2^nd HALF: 
The second half was more of the same as both squads battled for possession and took their time with the ball. The Pokes did a great job of preventing an attack up the middle and forced the Demon attack out wide. Both teams were well conditioned and played very physical throughout the entirety of the match. In the 81^st minute a cleared ball was sent back into the box and was scored off the head of a Cowgirl defender to give the Demons a 1-0 lead after the own goal. Despite the unfortunate play McNeese played aggressive and had multiple chances in the last four minutes of the match. The Pokes kept the ball in their offensive third and forced a corner that resulted in shots from Rachel Young and Morgan Schooley. Aydogmus executed a remarkable double save to prevent the late equalizer.  
 
"Our team is improving, and we will be as close to full strength as we are going to get as we end the regular season.  It's all about getting into the tournament now and hopefully playing our best soccer," said Fitzgerald.
 
 
STATS:
Goals: 81^st McNeese (OG)
Assists: N/A
Saves: Roccaforte (5), Aydogmus (4)
Shots: MCN 6(5), NSU 6(5)