NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State soccer team will finally see if its late-season momentum in 2014 can carry over to the 2015 campaign Friday when the Lady Demons kick off their season at home against LSU-Alexandria at 7 p.m.

NSU, which won three of its last four matches to finish 6-12-1, returns 17 players from the 2014 squad, including seven true freshmen that started at least eight games.
 
Coach George Van Linder said he's enjoyed seeing his young players increase their knowledge of the game, and he hopes the Lady Demons can get a better start in the Lady Demon Soccer Complex as they try to make their first Southland Conference trip since 2008.
 
"One thing we've liked is they continue to progress after getting great experience in the fall (of 2014)," said Van Linder, who is entering his fourth season. "They've continued to develop, and beyond that, fans will see freshmen that didn't get a lot of playing time last year be more involved.

"This is a big team (31 players), and we've been playing against each other since Aug. 5, so our players are chomping at the bit to play against different people."
 
LSU-Alexandria, an NAIA member entering its second season, posted a 9-8-1 record in 2014 with a tie against its only NCAA Division I opponent (2-2 against Grambling).
 
Fans who can't attend the game can see the Lady Demons in action via NSU's streaming video at nsudemons.com. Click on Fan Central on the top toolbar and select Audio & Video Broadcast.
 
Lady Demon fans will likely see multiple goalkeepers in action as that's been the hottest competition in fall camp.
 
Senior Brooke Bourbonais is returning from a severely broken finger that forced her to miss the last 13 matches of the season. Then-freshmen Alex Latham took over and gained valuable experience between the posts.
 
But Bourbonais said the competition has been fun this fall, and the pair makes every detail of their practice competitive.
 
"We make a competition out of everything – even the simplest thing like running to warm up, we raced each other there," said Bourbonais, who posted a 1.99 goals against average in seven appearances. "I feel really good now after it was really hard to get back into it at first. Everything was a lot slower, but I stayed this summer and increased my fitness level.
 
"I'm excited to see everyone play together against good teams this year. I can't wait to see how we do with all the new players coming in."
 
Senior Cassandra Briscoe is the most veteran attacker on the team, contributing four goals and two assists this past season.
 
But sophomores like Esdeina Gonzalez and Cache' Haley should add extra firepower after getting a taste of college soccer.
 
"Because I had a lot of playing time last year, I hope I can get that same playing time and create more chances for us," Gonzalez said. "I had a great education as a freshman, and I've been able to play fast.
 
"My mental approach has improved. In club and high school, there wasn't the pressure that there is in college. Now there is more pressure this season because I want to be better than I was last year."
 
The returning Lady Demons scored 20 of the team's 32 goals, including 13 from freshmen and 16 from underclassmen.
 
Despite NSU losing key players in the midfield, the Lady Demons will have options after adding Texas Christian transfer Patry Carrion, a Spanish national player on the country's U-17 team.
 
Carrion will pair with junior Camila Ardila to lead the team's middle.
 
"We did lose some players in that area, but Camila is in the best shape ever," Van Linder said. "She's taken players under her wing and been the leader of the midfield.
 
"Patry is a very skilled player who's played in big-time competition, and she's been a great addition."
 
After Friday's opener, NSU gets a taste of the Southeastern Conference with trips to Texas A&M (Sunday) and LSU (Tuesday). The Lady Demons return home Aug. 30 to host Jackson State.