LAKE CHARLES – Jackie Strug scored her first career goal to tie it, but Tori Lassiter knocked in the game-winner Sunday afternoon to give McNeese State the 2-1 win over the Northwestern State soccer team in Southland Conference action at Cowgirl field.
 
Northwestern State fell to 3-11-1 on the season and 0-6-1 league play, and MSU improved to 5-8-1 and 3-4 in Southland Conference play.
 
Strug scored her goal in the 56^th minute on a free kick after the Cowgirls were called for a foul just outside of the box.  It was one Strug's, who is a senior defender, two shots in the game in 84 minutes played.
 
Lasiter put in the game-winner in the 72^nd minute on a free kick assist from Hannah Sutherland.  The match's first goal was scored in the 40^th minute by Savannah LaRicci on an assist from Kelsie Greenough. LaRicci, MSU's leading scorer, took a cross from Greenough and knocked it in from within the box.
 
"The effort was good enough today to win. The opportunities were enough to win and we had plenty of momentum," said head coach George Van Linder. "Sadly, it was a couple of little things that cost us. It was a painful learning experience."
 
NSU goalkeeper Alex Latham collected five saves in the match on 15 shots faced in 90 minutes played.  Lauren Sestak had on save for McNeese State during the entire game.
 
Northwestern State was outshot 15-7 and 7-2 in shots on goal, but took the corner shots advantage, 2-1.
 
Strug and Cassandra Briscoe led the Lady Demons in shots taken, both with two.  Peyton Roney and Shelby Drope and Chelsea Schaefer also added one apiece.
 
LaRicci and Krista Steinbeiser led all players with three shots each.
 
Northwestern State will end its current five-game road swing when the Lady Demons play their final road game of the regular season on Friday at 4 o'clock against Nicholls at the Nicholls Soccer Complex. The next time NSU plays in Natchitoches will be on Sunday when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana at 1 o'clock.