Box Score HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Northwestern State soccer dropped a nail-biter to Sam Houston State Friday night after a goal in the 76th minute by Bearkat midfielder Megan Manis gave her team a 1-0 Southland Conference win.

The loss was the second in three conference games suffered by the Lady Demons (7-6, 1-2) while Sam Houston State (5-8-1, 1-2) notched its first league win of the season.

Bearkat players Tricia Mallory and Amanda Beiga each assisted Manis to her third goal of the season in the only scoring for the game.

“That was a tough, but very even game,” said NSU head coach Jimmy Mitchell. “They scored on a scramble-and-one that looked just like we had a couple of times, but unfortunately their shot went in and our shots did not.”

In the first half Theresa Halle took a corner kick and put it right on the post - a shot that could've put the Lady Demons up by a goal.

“I thought it might have gone in, but from my angle I could not see it clearly,” said Mitchell.

In the final two minutes a ball about six yards out bounced to sophomore forward Ashlee Savona for an attempt at the goal but Bearkat goalkeeper Mallory Gathwaite made a great save on it.

Each team took 11 shots on the night while the Lady Demons had three of those on goal as SHSU had five shots reach the goal.

Lady Demon goalkeeper Jessica Danku saved four shots and took a tough loss to put here record at 6-6 on the season.  Danku also accounted for one of the shots on goal.

Northwestern State will continue its road action on Sunday when it visits Stephen F. Austin, a 6-0 winner over Central Arkansas on Friday night, in a crucial conference matchup.