NATCHITOCHES -- The Northwestern State senior class hopes the journey isn't over yet.
 
The 10-member class was crucial to the Lady Demons finally getting over the postseason hump to make their first Southland Conference Tournament this past season since 2008.
 
If those players want to make another postseason trip, they'll need to lead the Lady Demons (5-8, 1-5 SLC) on a winning streak of sorts in their last five regular season matches.
 
That could start Friday night when NSU welcomes reigning SLC Tournament champion Houston Baptist (5-4-2, 4-1-1) as the Lady Demons celebrate Senior Night presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
 
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex with Senior Night ceremony starting around 6:45 p.m.
 
"We just need to come out and get a win," said senior defender Sage Leffew, who was selected to the 2017 Southland Conference Preseason Second Team. "That will skyrocket our hopes and our confidence, and then we can get on a roll.
 
"My biggest takeaway in being part of this class is that you have to fight. No matter what team it is, come out and battle and have that resiliency."
 
Resiliency is something this class displayed beginning as freshmen in 2014 as five players started at least eight games with another player serving as a significant reserve.
 
The group took their lumps, losing eight games by three goals or more en route to a 6-12-1 mark (3-7-1 in SLC play).
 
But NSU won three of its last four matches in 2014 to launch into a more competitive 2015.
 
Six members of the then-sophomore class played significant roles in 2015 as 13 of the Lady Demons' 19 matches were decided by two or goals or less, not including three NSU wins by more than three goals.
 
NSU posted a 2-3-1 record against the six Southland Conference Tournament teams, proving that they could compete against the best.
 
"Playing with this class is one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had in my life," said senior goalkeeper Alex Latham, the reigning SLC and Louisiana Goalkeeper of the Year. "We had 14 people originally in that class, and eight of us stayed plus we added (Jasmine Juarez and Kelsey Lewis).
 
"(Friday) will be an emotional night because it's the beginning of the end, but it's been amazing to work with people who care so much and are willing to sacrifice as much as I am for this team."
 
NSU turned the corner in 2016. The close losses in 2015 turned to wins as the Lady Demons compiled a 6-3 mark in one-goal games.
 
That includes a five-match conference winning streak with each win coming by one goal as NSU stormed to a 10-win season and a No. 3 seed in the league tournament.
 
While NSU doesn't have to win each of the its last five games this season, the Lady Demons need points in the standings as they sit in a tie for 11^th place vying to get into an eight-team tournament.
 
Sam Houston State and Nicholls have two conference wins each and own the last two tournament spots heading into the weekend.
 
"We have to prepare better and work on the little mistakes that we've been committing," said senior Esdeina Gonzalez, who is closing in on NSU's top five with her 18 career goals, 12 career assists and 48 career points. "We've got to want it more than the other team, but we'll figure it out.
 
"It's been an honor to play with this class -- there's a lot of talent in this group. Our class is one of the strongest we've had in past years. We came in strong, and we're trying to finish strong."
 
NSU coach George Van Linder said this group has always been the largest on the team each season, therefore most responsible for cultivating the program's culture and personality.
 
"It's been on their shoulders since they've gotten here," Van Linder said. "They know that the positive attitude that they finish off their career with, that never-say-never attitude is only going to help us in the end here.
 
"This class has a lot of pride and a lot of fight. They continue to search for answers, and they are doing everything they can to get us out of this little slump."
 
Senior midfielder Payton Roney added this class' leadership will help see the Lady Demons through this process and put the program into consecutive SLC Tournaments for the first time since 2007-08.
 
"We still have a chance, and we haven't forgotten last year or have given up," Roney said. "Playing with this class, it's not only about enjoying last year's success, it's about the bond we've developed through the years and how we've grown together.
 
"There are a lot of hard-working teammates that I'm glad to call my teammates. How they've helped me grow personally and how we've grown together is what I'll takeaway most."
 
Latham, Roney, Gonzalez and Leffew are joined by fellow seniors Cache' Haley, Shelby Drope, Amy Renteria, Chandler Monk, Kelsey Lewis, and Jasmine Juarez.