DALLAS, Texas – After Northwestern State tied LSU earlier this season by pressing forward to find the equalizing goal, coach George Van Linder said he didn't have any hesitations employing the same strategy Sunday at Southern Methodist.
 
Trailing by one goal with 10 minutes remaining, NSU's aggressiveness led to two late SMU goals as the Mustangs ran away with the 3-0 win.
 
The Lady Demons (3-4-1) controlled possession at times against the Mustangs, and Van Linder said he's proud of the competitiveness of his bunch as they prepare for Southland Conference play Friday at Stephen F. Austin.
 
"I'm really proud of the team, and they stuck to the game plan and did well," said Van Linder, who coached at SMU, leading the program to three NCAA tournament appearances. "It was my decision to take the gamble … it's just not our mentality to sit there and take a 1-0 loss.
 
"It was unfortunate because we didn't get the results we wanted."
 
Claire Oates scored the Mustangs (3-3-2) first goal off a Lauren Guerra corner kick in the 23^rd minute. The towering Oates received the corner kick to the back post and headed the ball in for a 1-0 edge.
 
NSU controlled possession for the majority of the match before Oates' goal, and NSU's best chance at a goal game several minutes later.
 
Junior midfielder Camila Ardila attempted a free kick from the left side of the penalty box, bending her shot off the far post.
 
SMU had a 20-5 shot advantage in the match, but Van Linder said he's happy with how his defense held throughout the match. Junior Patry Carrion and sophomore Allison Palomo led that effort with an abundance of tackles and deflections.
 
"We were able to knock it around against a team that had a good game plan and do a lot of good things," Van Linder said. "At halftime we thought we could win it, and with 20 minutes left, we thought (the equalizer) would come.
 
"We competed well today."
 
SMU's Vanessa Valadez scored her third and fourth goals of the season to push the Mustangs' lead to 3-0.
 
The Mustangs controlled an Alex Latham goal kick to start an attack, and Blaire Thorpe crossed to Valadez for her first goal Sunday.
 
Valadez had another fastbreak opportunity two minutes, scoring off a Paige Jacobs assist.
 
NSU sophomore Sage Leffew, who started every match in 2014, logged her first official minutes of the season after recovering from an MCL sprain.
 
Leffew said she felt comfortable back on the pitch.
 
"It felt great being able to be with all the girls again," Leffew said. "The knee felt great, couldn't be any better.
 
"I had some contact, and everything went smooth as butter. I hope it stays that way."
 
NSU forward Cache' Haley traveled but didn't play Sunday. Van Linder hopes to have her back early in the conference season.
 
Playing at SMU was a treat for all the Lady Demons but particularly for senior Cassandra Briscoe. Briscoe, who said she's obsessed with Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi, said she felt his presence on the field after the Argentinians practiced at SMU's Wescott Field this past week. Argentina played matches in Houston, Texas this past week.

"Honestly it was such a great feeling," Briscoe said. "My parents always make fun of me because I'm kind of too obsessed.
"But walking on the field before the match, I could feel it on the field. It was a cool experience."