NATCHITOCHES -- Northwestern State's 10 seniors already know there won't be a postseason after the regular season finale Friday at home against Central Arkansas at 7 p.m..
 
The Lady Demons (5-12, 1-9 Southland Conference) are mathematically eliminated from the league tournament, a place the 2016 squad fought so hard to get to, ending a drought that dragged on since 2008.
 
But these seniors still have something to play for Friday -- their first win against UCA (10-8, 7-3).
 
NSU hasn't beaten the Bears since 2009 as UCA has posted a 5-0-2 mark in the last seven meetings.
 
"It would mean a lot," Drope said. "This season hasn't gone as expected, but as a senior, finishing a career with these teammates with a win would be awesome.
 
"To do it at home in front of all of our fans, friends and family would make it even more special."
 
Drope is one of six seniors who has been at least a three-year starter. Five current seniors started at least eight games as true freshmen in 2014 in a group that started with 14 members.
 
Eight of those members -- goalkeeper Alex Latham, defenders Amy Renteria and Sage Leffew, midfielders Chandler Monk, Payton Roney and Drope and forwards Esdeina Gonzalez and Cache' Haley -- remain with the program.
 
The class added transfer Kelsey Lewis two years ago, and junior Jasmine Juarez is scheduled to graduate a year early.
 
"They came in and tried to help define the culture of where we wanted to go as a program, to get it back to a championship level," said NSU coach George Van Linder. "We always talk about how success isn't a straight arrow.
 
"Last year was a huge up, climbing toward that success. This year, obviously no one is happy. It's a down, but we feel like we'll climb back up again. For this team, it's a great opportunity to end on a positive note and build for next year."
 
That 2016 squad earned the No. 3 seed in the SLC Tournament with a 7-3-1 mark in conference play. NSU went 6-1 in games decided by one goal against league opponents in the regular season.
 
This season's squad has been competitive beyond its record with five of its nine league losses coming by one goal, including three in overtime.
 
And those one-goal losses have come largely against the top half of the conference in Lamar (1^st place), McNeese (second place) and Houston Baptist (5^th place) with a hard fought 2-0 loss at Stephen F. Austin (third place).
 
But it's not the mark that this large group of seniors wanted to leave after finally turning the corner in 2016.
 
"It's not what we expected this year, but I'll still have great memories with these girls," Drope said. "I was a little iffy coming in with a class of 14 other girls when we were freshmen, but a lot of us have stayed and developed close bonds. "
 
The seniors have played more 32,000 minutes in their careers in NSU purple, and individuals will be ranked among the program's leaders.
 
Goalkeeper Alex Latham ranks second in NSU history in saves (361), shutouts (16) and career wins (23).
 
Forward Esdeina Gonzalez is tied for seventh in assists (12) and ranks 10^th in goals scored (18).
 
Gonzalez won't be able to play Friday after receiving a red card this past Sunday, a penalty NSU appealed but lost.
 
Others are in the top 20 for a program that celebrated its 20^th anniversary in 2016.