Box Score NATCHITOCHES – A 12-day layoff could not stop the Northwestern State soccer team from keeping its late-season surge intact.
 
In its first game in more than a week, NSU got a first-half goal from Camila Ardila then hung on to defeat Incarnate Word, 1-0, on Friday night at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex.
 
"We were worried," NSU head coach George Van Linder said. "Twelve days off at this time of year, sometimes teams come out flat that first game back. We had our rough moments. Incarnate Word gave us everything they had, but I'm real proud of our team gutting that one out. If there is anything frustrating about this, it's that it's the end of the season and our team is really jelling as the season's ending."
 
Ardila headed in a cross from Jackie Strug just less than 13 minutes into the match for the only goal NSU (5-12-1, 2-7-1) needed, as it won its second match in three tries.
 
Ardila's goal made sure the long layoff would not negatively affect the Lady Demons, who were enjoying their most consistent stretch of the season before the break.
 
"From a momentum standpoint and a confidence standpoint, it was real important for us to get that and set that tone," Van Linder said. "This late in the season, with every game being so valuable, that early goal can start the momentum for everybody."
 
NSU controlled the ball for much of the first half, but Incarnate Word (2-12-3, 2-5-3) managed to take momentum away in the second half and finished the night with 14 shots, keeping pressure on NSU freshman Alex Latham, who made three saves to preserve NSU's third shutout of the season and the first of her career.
 
"We always ask our goalkeeper, 'Can you make one big save or two?" Van Linder said. "She did that. She did a great job of controlling the defense."
 
NSU had few good scoring opportunities in the second half. Its best chance came in a three-shot flurry midway through the second half, but UIW blocked two of the shots, keeping them far from goalkeeper Heather Kowalik.
 
NSU finished the night with eight shots, two each from Ardila, Yanci Johnson and Cache Haley. Karey Tylman led UIW's offense with three shots, while Megan Stokes, Kathryn Mundy and Megan Baker each had a shot on goal that was stopped by Latham.
 
NSU concludes its regular season Sunday at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex, as it hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Eight senior members of the NSU team will be honored in a pregame ceremony.