Hunter goal
Gary Hardamon
NSU will be looking for its 3rd straight win

NSU visits Prairie View to start 3-game road swing

9/1/2011 3:15:00 PM

By: Matthew Fowler, NSU Soccer SID
HOUSTON – The reigning Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Week Jessica Danku and the Northwestern State Lady Demons will kick off a three-game road set on Friday when they visit Prairie View A&M.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. as NSU (2-1) will be looking for its third consecutive win after coming off an impressive 1-0 shutout over Arkansas-Little Rock in its last outing last Friday.

Prairie View A&M is 0-3 on the year and coming off a loss to Texas-El Paso.

“Prairie View will provide an unfamiliar opponent for us which we are excited about,” head coach Jimmy Mitchell said.  “That will allow us to focus on ourselves and work on technical aspects of our game.”

Danku, who blanked UALR last week and held Louisiana-Lafayette scoreless in regulation play before falling 1-0 in overtime in the season opener, has 17 saves this season and has only given up three goals in as many games played.

Leading Northwestern State in points thus far is sophomore forward Ashlee Savona and senior midfielder Meghan Hunter with three.

“Having Meghan back has been a huge lift for us,” Mitchell said.  “She brings a lot back to the field in motivation, vision, knowledge, and provides a good example for us.”

Hunter missed all of the 2010 season due to a knee injury.

Along with those two, the Lady Demons look to other players such as Theresa Halle and Hailey Altenburg, all are tied with one goal on the season.

Defensively, sophomore Danielle Harding and freshman Chelsea Schaefer have stepped in to lead a defense that has shutout two teams in regulation minutes this season.

“Chelsea has been a very pleasant surprise for us,” Mitchell said.  “We didn't exactly have her tagged as a defender but has stepped in and played a very important role.

“Harding is very athletic and provides a good matchups for teams and brings a good pace,” Mitchell said. “That was evident last week against a very fast Little Rock team.”

Northwestern State will play Houston Baptist Sunday and finish out their road stint against Jackson State next Friday.
 
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