Box Score LAKE CHARLES – A goal by Ashlee Savona in the 16^th minute would be all the scoring Northwestern State would need as the Lady Demons, powered by goalkeeper Jessica Danku, blanked McNeese State 1-0 in Southland Conference women's soccer action Friday night.
 
The win moved NSU to 8-9-1 overall and 2-5-1 in league play while McNeese State fell to 7-11 after dropping its fifth straight game.  The Lady Demons leap the Cowgirls (2-6 SLC) in the standings for seventh place with the victory while McNeese has been eliminated from qualifying for the postseason tournament.

"It was a good win," said head coach Jimmy Mitchell.  "We had a lot of energy and I was really pleased with the way we played considering the circumstances."

NSU found out late Sunday it was eliminated from the postseason after Southeastern Louisiana defeated Sam Houston State in double overtime.
  
It didn't take long for the Lady Demons to get on the board after Savona netted her second goal of the season off an assist from Meghan Hunter – her team-leading sixth of the year.

"We had quite a few chances to get the score to 2-0 but never could get it in the net," said Mitchell.
 
Danku played remarkably in the net with three saves as the Cowgirls outshot the Lady Demons by a 15-4 margin but only a 3-2 advantage in shots on-goal.  It was the fifth shutout win of the season for NSU.

"Jess didn't have any extraordinary saves, but she did a great job of getting out on the ball, especially on their (McNeese's) corner kicks."

"Again, I'm very proud with the way we came out and played.  And especially knowing McNeese had everything to play for, we came out ready to play."
 
The Lady Demons will close out their season on Sunday with a 1 p.m. game at Lamar.  With a win, NSU will even its record at 9-9-1, better than last year's mark, and will finish two notches better than what preseason pollsters predicted it to land.