NATCHITOCHES – Calling the third Southland Conference match of the season a "must-win" might be a stretch in an 11-game league schedule, but Northwestern State coach George Van Linder didn't mince words when talking about Sunday's 1 p.m. home match against McNeese State.
 
After a 3-1 loss to Lamar on Friday at home, NSU (3-5-2, 0-1-1 SLC) sits in a tie for eighth place in the conference.
 
Van Linder, whose Lady Demons will be wearing pink jerseys and selling pink shirts to support breast cancer awareness in line with NSU's "Fork Cancer" campaign, says his team must score points in the standings Sunday against McNeese (3-5, 0-2 SLC).
 
"It'll be interesting to see how we handle the quick turnaround," Van Linder said. "I like how our team usually responds when we have adversity.
 
"McNeese is always a battle. It's usually a one-goal or an overtime game. It's about heart and how we prepare."
 
The last five matches with McNeese have been decided by one goal, with NSU holding a 3-2 edge.
 
McNeese has lost two one-goal games in conference play, falling to Southeastern and Central Arkansas, the latter in double overtime.
 
But the Cowgirls have beaten Texas State and ULM, the former which led NSU before a weather cancellation and the latter beating NSU in overtime.
 
On Friday, the Lady Demons recorded a season-high 29 shots compared to Lamar's 11. Senior Cassandra Briscoe attempted five of the shots, including one of two NSU shots that ricocheted off the post and another that just missed high.
 
"We are working on our attack a lot, and scoring is obviously important," Briscoe said earlier this week. " The freshmen know what conference play is like now, and every point and minute matters.
 
"It's tough to create chances in games, and we've been working to find through balls and putting the ball in the net. We have to finish."
 
Freshman forward Jacqueline Manza scored NSU's lone goal Friday, increasing the freshmen total to 17 of 22 NSU goals this season.
 
McNeese has scored nine goals this season led by Gabi D'Alesandro and Bettina Brulhart with two each.