CONWAY, Ark. – Central Arkansas jumped to an early lead with a goal in the 21^st minute and added another in the 67^th minute in a 2-0 win over the Northwestern State soccer team Sunday afternoon at the Bill Stephens Soccer Complex in Southland Conference action.
 
NSU fell to 3-8-1 overall and 0-3-1 in league play and Central Arkansas improved to 5-4-1 and 1-1-0 in SLC action.
 
Kate Koch scored the first goal of the game, her first of the season, on an assist by Vanessa Randall.  Randall crossed the ball into the bottom right corner for an eight yard score. Shelby Wilson scored the final goal of the contest, her fourth of the season, on an assist by Allie Coleman.  Coleman put the ball 12 yards out on the left side with a cross.
 
Central Arkansas outshot NSU 13-8 in the game and had three more shots on-goal than Northwestern State (6-3).
 
"We had lots of good opportunities to score, and we didn't capitalize," said head coach George Van Linder. "It sounds like a bit of a broken record but we just have to break through that barrier."
 
NSU's leading scorer Esdeina Gonzalez led the Lady Demons with two shots on the day. Carmila Ardila, Mackenna Richardson, Jackie Sturg, Cache Haley and Chelsea Schaefer all added one.
 
"We have to keep our heads up and stay focused," said Van Linder. "We have to stay positive and do everything as an individual and team."
 
NSU goalkeeper Alex Latham played the entire match in goal and had four saves on 13 shots faced.
 
Wilson led all players in the game with three shots on the day, and UCA's Koch and Alex Wurst each had two attempts. Sugar Bear goalkeeper Anna Hughes had three saves on eight shots faced in the game.
 
Northwestern State came away with three corner kicks, two more than UCA, and four offside calls.
 
The Lady Demons return to the pitch on Friday when they travel to Sam Houston State for a 6:30 kick time.  That match will be the second of a five-game road swing for NSU.