Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NATCHITOCHES – After two stellar outings in which she accounted for nine total points, freshman forward Esdeina Gonzalez of the Northwestern State soccer team was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week as voted on by league sport information directors.
 
Gonzalez, native of Humble, Texas, is the first league player of the week for NSU since Yanci Johnson took in in 2012.  Gonzalez knocked in two goals each against Prairie View A&M and Jackson State and added one assist against the Tigers.
 
"This is a well-deserved award for Esdeina. She would be quick to add that she could not have done it without the teammates around her," said head coach George Van Linder.  "We are excited about her future and the future of NSU Soccer."
 
She scored her first goal of the weekend to put NSU up 1-0 over PVAMU on an assist from Cassandra Briscoe.  She scored on a header from five yards out after a missed clear. Her second goal was on a long pass from Shelby Drope that beat the goalkeeper to the top.
 
The Lady Demons beat the Panthers 4-0.
 
She also scored the first goal against Jackson State on an assist from Caché Haley, who lobbed a cross into the box that Gonzalez was able to head in the goal.  The freshman's final goal made the game 5-0 when she gained control of the ball just outside of the box and challenged the keeper.
 
She aided Chelsea Schaefer in her first goal of the season against Jackson State when she crossed a ball into traffic.
 
"Esdeina is one of our hardest working players," said Van Linder. "She is very talented, but that in combination with her hard work is why she has been such an impact." 
 
Gonzalez leads a scoring offense that ranks 24^th in the country, and she alone ranks 22^nd to total goals. She also ranks 35^th in goals per game and 68^th in points per game.
 
"We feel like this is a team award. We have had some other players who have stepped it up and made it more and more difficult for teams to focus on one player," said Van Linder. "This has given Esdeina some opportunities to create dangerous moments and she certainly has taken advantage of her situation."  
 
Northwestern State opens Southland Conference play on Friday when it travels to Lamar for a 7 o'clock kick.  It returns home for a two-game homestand against Stephen F. Austin on Sunday (1:00) and Houston Baptist on Sept. 26 (7:00).