SHREVEPORT – Northwestern State scored two goals in the final 12 minutes of regulation, but Texas State reclaimed the victory with a double-overtime goal in a 3-2 win for the Bobcats at Byrd High School.
Texas State's Rachel Grout scored a goal from inside the penalty box on a Jamie Brown assist from the wing with just 28 seconds left in double overtime.
The loss negated a superb effort from NSU goalkeeper
Alex Latham, who made nine saves as she and the defense weathered 23 Texas State shots.
"We got on the defense in the first half, and we're frustrated we gave up two goals (in regulation)," said NSU coach
George Van Linder. "Alex was phenomenal in goal, and she played like the Alex we know as did all of the back three.
"We're really proud of this team to be down 2-0 and fight back. Not a lot of teams do that, and it's a good measure of our heart. Hopefully that's something we can use when we get down later in the season."
NSU (2-2) surged late in regulation after Texas State dominated possession for the majority of the game.
Freshman Yeaya Gamboa took a shot that forced a Texas State (1-2-1) own goal after the ball ricocheted off a defender to cut the Bobcats edge to 2-1 in the 78
th minute.
Gamboa provided the equalizer just three minutes later with a rocket from about 30 yards into the upper left-hand corner of the net.
"We use the analogy of a flower about to blossom," Van Linder said. "She's getting better and better, and she's getting used to college soccer. She's done some big things."
Gamboa leads the team with four goals after scoring a hat trick against LSU Shreveport.
Friday's game was moved to Shreveport because of constant rain from Tropical Storm Harvey this past week.
Texas State owned the first half, taking a 7-1 shots edge into the break and a 1-0 lead.
Sydney Kammer scored from the near corner of the box on a Jordan Kondikoff pass from the middle (42
nd minute).
The Bobcats extended their lead to 2-0 early in the second half (54
th minute) when Kira Zapalac forced a turnover on NSU's half and scored.
The Lady Demons were outshot 23-10 with nine of their shots coming after halftime.
NSU, who has played just one of its first four games on its home field in Natchitoches, will hit the road to play UL Lafayette on Sunday at 6 p.m.