NATCHITOCHES – With four games remaining in the regular season, a Southland Conference regular season title is likely out of reach for Northwestern State (8-6, 5-2), who is tied for third after a 1-0 loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday.

But the Lady Demons can almost secure one of six SLC Tournament spots with a win Sunday at Houston Baptist (5-8-1, 3-3-1) at 1 p.m.

NSU is 1-3-1 in its last five matches against the Huskies, including a 3-1 loss in Natchitoches this past season in which HBU scored all three of its goals in the last 30 minutes.

"Texas A&M-Corpus Christi really wanted it, and we're extremely disappointed with the result," said NSU coach George Van Linder. "We know that Houston Baptist is very tough, especially for a team that is fighting for a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament."

Friday's loss snapped a five-match NSU winning streak, which was the longest since the Lady Demons won five straight in 2005. That season is also the last time NSU won an SLC Tournament title and appeared in the NCAA Tournament. NSU hasn't been to the SLC Tournament since 2008.

The Lady Demons are hoping to rebound from a Friday performance in which they attempted just three shots on goal and 10 shots total. NSU has been shut out five times this season (twice in conference play).

The defense played relatively well, holding the Islanders (2-12, 2-5) to seven shots and two on goal. But Yvette Franco's 25-yard shot in the first half slipped through goalkeeper Alex Latham's hands to allow the lone goal of the game.

Latham's 1.24 goals against average ranks sixth in the SLC, allowing 17 goals in 14 matches.

Forward April Trowbridge ranks in the SLC's top 10 in goals with five, while Esdeina Gonzalez sits in the top five with five assists this season.

Houston Baptist is coming off a 1-0 loss to league leader Central Arkansas on Friday. After starting conference play 3-1-1, the Huskies have lost their last two matches by a combined 4-0 to Abilene Christian and Central Arkansas.

Gabby Rodriguez leads HBU with six goals, sitting in the top five in the league. Rodriguez scored HBU's final goal against NSU this past season.

Goalkeeper Alanis Guevara lowered her goals against average to 1.24 this season.