NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State forward Kayleigh Phillips just wanted to get on the field at the beginning of her freshman season.
 
Phillips accomplished that goal, but it's what's occurred on the field with Phillips and a talented freshman class that's been a catalyst for NSU (2-1-1) this season.
 
Heading into Friday's 4 p.m. match at ULM (2-3), Phillips and fellow freshman Brittney Caserma scored six of NSU's nine goals this season.
 
Phillips is coming off a three-goal week, scoring the equalizer in the 83^rd minute of a 1-1 tie against LSU and twice in a 4-0 rout of Jackson State.
 
"No, I'm not going to lie," Phillips said when asked if she expected to contribute four goals and one assist in her first four collegiate matches. "I knew I would work as hard as I could, and I honestly believe the harder you work, the more success you'll have.
 
"I just have to keep doing that. It does help having other freshmen performing well, too. Knowing all the struggles freshmen go through, it helps when you're not the only going through it and having success."
 
Caserma, a Murrieta, California native, said having an encouraging environment has eased her transition into collegiate soccer.
 
"Being from SoCal, it's hard being away from home, but the girls have been very nice and welcoming," Caserma said. "The speed of the game is much different from club ball to college, but feeling comfortable here has made the transition easier.
 
"The midfielders and forwards are always working together, always working on passes between each other and taking shots on goal."
 
One safety net for the freshmen forwards is an experienced midfield led by senior Cassandra Briscoe and junior Camila Ardila.
 
Briscoe, who's been a forward the past two seasons, shifted to an attacking midfielder. She has three of NSU's six assists, including two assists to Phillips and one assist to Caserma.
 
"In the preseason, we worked on a lot of different formations than in the past," said Briscoe, who's had two assists in each of her first three seasons. "We saw who gelled the best together … and both (Caserma and Phillips) came in fit and ready to go.
 
"For me, it's been a little bit different of a position. The past two years, I've switched my motto to shooting the ball a lot and putting it in the net. Now I'm trying to get the assist and find the through ball to the forwards – but growing up I had that role, and I'm just trying to adjust back to it."
 
Coach George Van Linder said he hoped for freshmen contributions this season, but it's something one can never determine in the preseason.
 
"Freshmen are always a wild card in our mind," Van Linder said. "Last year we had freshmen that had some really good moments, and then sometimes it wasn't what any of us wanted it to be.
 
"Kayleigh has a lot of confidence, and those are the kind of people who keep scoring and growing their confidence. Brittany has played a couple of positions and is still making adjustments, but more importantly, these forwards are freeing things up for others. They should start to draw attention so our others who can score can get opportunities."
 
Entering the season, NSU replaced its top two passers who combined for a total of seven assists.
 
 Van Linder added that Briscoe and Ardila have filled that gap, enabling talented forwards to finish plays.
 
"(The forwards) have enjoyed passing like that, and half the battle is who you are passing to and having others get on the end of those passes," Van Linder said. "The forwards love it because they know that if they make a run, they'll get the ball in a good spot."
 
NSU will need solid ball movement against a ULM team that's won the last two meetings – 3-0 in 2014 and 3-1 in 2013. The Lady Demons have the series edge 13-6-2.
 
NSU will then head to UL Lafayette on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Ragin' Cajuns have won the last three meetings dating back to 2011.
 
The Lady Demons' 2-1-1 start is their best since a 3-1 beginning in 2011 and a 5-0 record in 2009.