NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State soccer team isn't calling Sunday's home match versus Lamar a "must-win," but the Lady Demons (4-5, 0-2 Southland Conference) are well aware of the ramifications of an 0-3 start to conference play.

NSU welcomes a Lamar team (6-3-1, 1-1 SLC) at 1 p.m. that won more non-conference matches (5) than any other league team.

"It was a tough loss for us (Friday), but at the same time, we did a lot of good things," said NSU coach George Van Linder. "We've got to build on that and do more of what made us successful tonight.

"The Southland Conference is a really even conference, and it's going to be another dogfight Sunday. It's going to be all about our rest and recovery."

NSU fell 2-1 to McNeese in overtime Friday after Cowgirls' forward Savannah LaRicci scored two goals after halftime.

Lady Demon forward Brittany Caserma scored her fourth goal of the season in the first half for an early lead and nearly had a second-half goal, hitting the post.

Lamar coach Steve Holman is in his second season with the Cardinals after a relatively successful stint at Georgia.

NSU's Shelby Drope supplied the lone goal in a 1-0 victory at Lamar this past season.

"We're both coming off tough losses, and it'll be about who can dig down deep and win on Sunday," Van Linder said.  "A lot of things that factor into that revolve around depth, and we think that that will be an advantage for us against most teams.
"Good teams can win on Friday but great teams win on Sunday."

Lamar is licking its wounds after a 4-1 loss at Central Arkansas on Friday. The loss ended a five-match unbeaten streak which included a 3-1 win against Nicholls.

NSU is one of three 0-2 teams in SLC play, joining Southeastern and Nicholls in the 12-team league.

The SLC Tournament expanded to eight teams with the postseason eligibility of Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word this season.

This past season, NSU's win against Lamar started a five-match winning streak.