NATCHITOCHES --The Northwestern State women's soccer team returns to the Lady Demon Soccer Complex for a very crucial three game Southland Conference homestand beginning Friday night at 7 against Texas State.

The game is being billed as an "Orange Out" as all fans are encouraged to wear orange NSU apparel.

The Lady Demons (7-7, 1-3 SLC) open the weekend in ninth place in the conference standings after dropped two games last weekend on the road at Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin.  Texas State will enter the contest in a tie for third place with McNeese State at 2-1, 7-5 overall.

"Only six teams are going to the tournament so we have to fix the mistakes and start finishing our games," said head coach Jimmy Mitchell. "We have improved since the start of the season and we need to build off of that."

The four teams other than Northwestern State fighting for that sixth spot Central Arkansas, Sam Houston, Texas-San Antonio, and Nicholls.  NSU will host UTSA at 2 on Sunday and still has to play Central Arkansas.  The Lady Demons defeated Nicholls 2-0 earlier in the year and lost 1-0 at Sam Houston.

"We are fortunate to have UCA and UTSA coming to our place in these critical games for us all," said Mitchell. "We want to have a big crowd and feed off of their energy."

NSU is looking to end a five game winless streak against the Bobcats.  Texas State won last year's game by a 2-0 score in San Marcos.  NSU's last win over Texas State came by way of a 3-1 victory in the semifinals of the 2005 conference tournament.

NSU goalkeeper Jessica Danku has been a big factor in keeping the Lady Demons in most of their games this season.  She currently leads the league with 70 saves on the season, 16 more than No. 2 on the list, Nicholls' Molly Mersereau.