HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Freshman midfielder Payton Roney notched her first career goal in the 83^rd minute of a 4-1 loss for the Northwestern State soccer team Friday night against Sam Houston State at Joseph Pritchett Field in Southland Conference action.
 
Her goal came on a corner kick assist from Nikki Saunders, who grabbed her team-leading fourth assist of the year.  Saunders is now tied for third on the team in points on the season with Yanci Johnson (6).  Northwestern State fell to 3-9-1 overall and 0-4-1 while the Bearkats improved to 4-8 and 3-1 this season.
 
Allie Johnson gave SHSU an early lead on her fifth goal this season in the fifth minute.  She headed the ball to the far post and snuck it past Alex Latham, NSU's goalkeeper.  Sam Houston pushed it to 2-0 just before halftime on a goal from Caitlyn Schwartz on an assist by Mariah Titus on a corner kick.
 
Titus worked in another assist in the 71^st minute on a free kick that she chipped to Ashley Alonzo who passed it to Shelby McDaniel for the score.  The Bearkats' final goal was in the 84^th minute on an NSU own goal.
 
"Needless to say we are crushed about our performance. The players came out full of energy and determined to give their best," said NSU head coach George Van Liner. "However we made too many mistakes early to mount any type of comeback, but I was proud of how we fought the entire game."
 
Sam Houston had a slight advantage in shots, 14-11, and shots on-goal, 6-4.  Northwestern State was called offside four times and had 18 fouls in the match.  The Bearkats accounted for six corner kicks.
 
Roney led the Lady Demons with three shots and Esdeina Gonzalez followed with two, both on-goal.
 
"Our back is against the wall as a team, and we know that. We have the players who can turn this around," said Van Linder. "We are going to use the extra days this week to train and change things. Everyone associated with the team is determined to make it better and I'm sure we won't let NSU down."
 
Northwestern State has Sunday off and won't return to the pitch until the following Friday.
 
Latham played the entire match in goal and collected three saves, the number of saves Sam Houston's keeper, Kylie Hambleton, grabbed.
 
Caitlyn Schwartz had three shots in the contest for SHSU, and was followed by Shelby McDaniel with two.
 
Northwestern State will continue its five-game road swing with a tough trip that starts on Friday.  It is slated to play Abilene Christian at noon on Friday and then McNeese State at 1 o'clock on the following Sunday.