Box Score NATCHITOCHES – Rachel O'Steen made the most of her final regular season home soccer game for Northwestern State on Friday night as her goal in the 64^th minute tied the game at 1-1 against Central Arkansas in Southland Conference action, but numerous failed chances in both overtimes left O'Steen, five other seniors and the rest of the Lady Demon scored, with a bitter taste in their mouths with the tie game.
 
With the tie, NSU moved to 1-5-1 in league play for a total of three points and still mathematically eligible to qualify for the league's postseason tournament which Northwestern will host Nov. 3-6.  The Lady Demons (7-9-1 overall) got some help after Stephen F. Austin blanked Southeastern Louisiana.
 
For NSU to make the tourney, it'll need to win its remaining two games – at McNeese State next Friday and Lamar on Sunday, and have SLU lose its last three games (at Sam Houston State and hosts Texas State and UTSA).
 
NSU got out to a sluggish start against UCA as the Sugar Bears opened up a scoreless game with a goal in the 26^th minute from Kristin Pollard from nearly 30 yards out to put her team up 1-0 as her shot sailed over the head of senior goalkeeper Christian Marks, who started the game in place of regular starter Jessica Danku. 
 
Head coach Jimmy Mitchell started all six seniors in the contest.
 
“This is a really special group of seniors,” said Mitchell.  “To be able to watch them mature not only as players, but as students and human beings is very special.  These girls will leave the playing field and head into the real world and be very successful in whatever they do.”
 
O'Steen lit a fire in the Lady Demons with some fancy footwork to blast past the UCA goalkeeper in the 64^th minute to net her first goal of the season and tie the game at 1-1.  She took a pass from Meghan Hunter, her team-leading fifth assist of the season, and dribbled up the field to go one-on-one with the goalie.  After a change of direction had the goalkeeper leaning the opposite way, O'Steen lifted the ball in for the score.
 
Senior Kayla King nearly gave the Lady Demons the win late in the game but her open netter shot sailed to the left of the goal.
 
In the first overtime period, UCA (5-9-2, 1-5-1) controlled the offensive side of the field for the first few minutes before the Lady Demons took over and missed out on a couple of attempts.  Then in the second period, NSU had a golden shot at the golden goal with less than a minute to play when Ashlee Savona's cornerkick lob was batted around and Hunter's effort to net the goal was batted away at the last second.
 
“We came out a little cold and tight,” said Mitchell.  “But after we got that goal in the second half, that got our girls going.  We just missed out on several chances.”
 
The Lady Demons will be off for a week before returning to action next Friday at McNeese State, then will close out the regular season next Sunday at Lamar.