Box Score SAN ANTONIO -- Creating offensive opportunities hasn't been the issue for the Northwestern State soccer team, but finishing those chances for goals has been scarce.
The Lady Demons more than doubled Incarnate Word in shot attempts and shots on goal, but NSU couldn't find the back of the net in a scoreless tie in double overtime.
NSU (3-7-3, 0-3-2 Southland Conference) outshot UIW (3-9-1, 1-3-1 SLC) 22-9 and 11-5 on goal.
Coach
George Van Linder said the tie, which results in one point in the Southland Conference standings instead of three points for a win, is a starting place, but the regular season is running out.
"We got a point, but for us, expectations are a lot higher, so that's why we're disappointed," Van Linder said. "It's been the same thing -- we've created opportunities but we haven't finished.
"We made a vow as a team to create better opportunities, and we just didn't create enough good ones. We don't have much of the regular season left, so we've got to do something quick."
NSU's best chance to score came off a Caserma cross late in the second half to a cutting
Jacqueline Manza in front of the net. Manza fell down after a significant amount of contact and couldn't put a foot on the pass.
The Lady Demons' amount of possession limited UIW's offensive chances, but NSU's defense stood up to the Cardinals' attack.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Alex Latham played the entire match between the posts with senior
Brooke Bourbonais still recovering from an eye injury suffered Friday.
Latham made five saves in her first solo shutout of the season, including a diving save in the first half which prevented a goal.
UIW's Emani Stewart blasted a shot from inside the box, but Latham fully laid out to her left as the NSU defense corralled the rebound.
"I saw (Stewart) coming across, and I didn't think she was going to shoot because she didn't have a good angle," said Latham, who made her first solo shut out of the season and third of her career. "But she came across her body, and I didn't hesistate and had to dive to save it.
"The defense played really well, and we worked on supporting each other and shifting as a team."
Latham and Bourbonais have two combined shutouts this season, blanking Jackson State and Alcorn State.
"It was tough conditions with the weather, the field and the environment," Van Linder said. "The defense did well, and we're getting stronger and stronger.
"I hope we can turn some of those great defensive saves into better offensive opportunities."
NSU returns for a three-match homestand starting Friday against Sam Houston State.
