Box Score NATCHITOCHES – Meghan Hunter's first goal of the season was all the offense Northwestern State would need as the Lady Demons opened the home portion of their schedule with a 1-0 shutout win over Arkansas-Little Rock on Friday night. 
 
Ashlee Savona led Hunter from about 30 yards out on a breakaway goal in the 17th minute give the Lady Demons (2-1) their second consecutive win after dropping the season-opener 1-0 in overtime.
 
“I thought the first half we played pretty well and we came out and set the pace of the game,” head coach Jimmy Mitchell said. 
 
The Northwestern State offense played with intensity in the first half taking eight shots with three being on goal.
 
“I felt that we were mature in the way that we played trying to hold on to the ball and keep the game simple,” Mitchell said. “But that's a big win for us.”
 
Arkansas-Little Rock (1-2) came out strong in the second half and put pressure on the Northwestern State defense, but it held strong throughout the game shutting out the opposition in regulation for the second time this season.  Louisiana-Lafayette won on a golden goal in overtime August 19th.
 
“We've worked a lot on our defenders this week, Mitchell said. “We lost Alex Rios this week and she was kind of holding us together.
 
“Shannon Danku, who has played so many games for us, stepped up big and helped us stay organized, Mitchell said.  “(Alexandria) Jackson went in and gave us a good pace when we needed it.”
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Danku was a big component of the win with her fourth shutout of her young career.
 
“Jessica came up big for us,” Mitchell said. “One thing some people don't realize is that when we're under pressure, her ability to take goal kicks and punts and put them on the other half of the field helps the whole team tremendously.”
 
Theresa Halle led all Lady Demons in shots with three and one on goal. 
 
Both Hunter and Savona had two shots with one on goal. Jessica Danku and Hailey Altenburg took a shot with it being on goal as well. 
 
Northwestern State finished the game with 12 shots, five shots on goal, and two fouls.
 
The Lady Demons will be back in action Friday, September 2 when they visit Prairie View A&M.  They will return home on September 11 against Tulsa.