HUNTSVILLE, Texas – For the second time in as many years, Northwestern State found a way to edge Sam Houston State in double overtime.

Sophomore Brittany Caserma continued NSU's magic this season when she booted in a rebound 1:11 into the second overtime to lift the Lady Demons to a 3-2 win.

Caserma's rebound came off a sophomore April Trowbridge shot, one of her five Friday and one of 21 team attempts.

"It was a tough battle the whole match, but in the end, we just wanted it more," said Caserma, who scored her fourth goal this season. "We kept taking shots, and it's all about following it up and having the confidence to know that you'll get on the end of it.

"We were so frustrated with what we did last year, but this year, we're getting the results. We're finding that confidence to relax and play our game, and we just really want to make it to that conference tournament."

The win is NSU's (8-5, 5-1 Southland Conference) fifth consecutive win – all in league play and all by one goal. The Lady Demons hadn't done that since 2005, the last time NSU won the SLC Tournament and played in the NCAA Tournament.

The Lady Demons shrugged off a sluggish start in which Sam Houston (2-11-1, 2-3-1 SLC) took the first seven shots, including a Kaylee Davis goal in the 13^th minute.

"It was a great game, and it's always a battle with Sam Houston," said NSU coach George Van Linder. "They were certainly the better team at times, but I'm really proud of us bouncing back, raising the bar and challenging themselves.

"We need to take care of business in the beginning – but this team kept its composure and feel really comfortable in pressure situations. We don't have a great history of winning games (at Sam Houston State), so this is a big one for us."

The home team had won the last six home matches in this series, including this past season in Natchitoches when Esdeina Gonzalez scored with just 10 seconds left in double overtime.

Gonzalez scored the first equalizer Friday on an effective through ball from Trowbridge, dribbling around the keeper and shooting on an empty net in the 34^th minute.

Junior Cache' Haley handed NSU a 2-1 heading into halftime when she rocketed a ball to the left side from the top of the penalty box. Freshman Jordy Warren created the opportunity with her hustle, winning the ball several times before finding Haley.

"I got into the attack, and I knew we hustled to get up there," Haley said.  "I took two touches under pressure and placed it where I wanted, just like I've been doing in practice when I've come early.

"We're one of the better teams in the conference, and we've been looking for this type of intensity and will to win for years now. We want to win conference, and we're playing for each other. We're not taking no for an answer."

Sam Houston found its equalizer when Hayden Oswalt scored her first goal, taking a cross from inside the box in the 47^th minute.

NSU junior keeper Alex Latham made eight saves in the win.

SHSU counterpart Anna Kaiser made six saves.

The Lady Demons boosted themselves into the thick of the SLC race with previously unbeaten Stephen F. Austin (5-1 SLC) losing to Central Arkansas (5-0-1 SLC). NSU (5-1) is virtually in third place after losing to SFA earlier this year.