Box Score NATCHITOCHES --  Ashlee Savona's two goals in the first half and a tremendous shutout from Jessica Danku gave the Northwestern State women's soccer team an early lead on its way to a 3-0 win over Nicholls State Friday night for the squad's Senior Night in Southland Conference play.
 
"This was such an important win for us in terms of position in the standings," said head coach George Van Linder. "We wanted to get some points up and it gets us in a better spot for us and we feel like this could be a tipping point win in where it can take us for the rest of the season."
 
Northwestern State (6-8-1, 4-3-1 Southland Conference) honored eight senior players in pregame ceremonies before the match.  Both the Canadian and American national anthems were played to honor the first senior class to feature Canadians.  
 
NSU trailed Nicholls (10-4-1, 4-4-0 SLC) by one position in the league standings.  NSU was sixth, and the top six squads will advance to the SLC Tournament.
 
"Every time you hear senior night, you get worried about the emotion and how the upper classmen will react," said Van Linder.  Ashlee Savona and Danku have been gamers ever since they came to NSU, and tonight was no exception. They were fantastic."
 
Savona scored the first goal at the 15 minute mark on an assist from fellow classmate Alexandria Jackson.  Jackson chipped in into the box from the right side to Savona who scored it.
 
She hit her second attempt just 18 minutes later on an unassisted score when Nicholls goalkeeper Taylor Mosley came out of the net on a free kick and deflected it to Savona.
 
Northwestern State led 2-0 at the half with nine shots to Nicholls six.
 
Brooke Eastburg scored the final goal of the match in the 51^st minute one an assist from senior Taylor Mulnix.
 
Danku played 75 minutes of the match with three saves on 14 shots seen.  Brooke Bourbonais came in and collected one save.
 
For the match, Nicholls outshot the Lady Demons 16-15, but had only four shots on-goal.  Northwestern State finished with seven shots on-goal.
 
Eastburg and Savona each tied for the team-lead in shots for Northwestern State, and Spence Valespino took the match shot lead with seven on the night. 
 
The Lady Demons were surprised Friday night when the middle of the soccer field had the 'Demon Head' logo for the first time in its history.  Each senior had her number painted around the circle along "Thank You Seniors" below the numbers.
 
"The field was phenomenal tonight, and it means so much to the players," said Van Linder.  The field is so important to our soccer players.  It was so beautiful and it was probably the best it's ever been for those seniors tonight."
 
Countless hours went into the field by Facilities and Events Director Jeremy Vitt and his staff.
 
The Lady Demons have four matches left in the 2013 regular season, and will start the four game road stand at Southeastern Louisiana at 1 o'clock on Sunday.