HOUSTON, Texas – Northwestern State engaged in a defensive slugfest at Southland Conference-leading Houston Baptist on Friday, forcing overtime on the road and threatening the Huskies with their first league loss.

But HBU's Sabriah Spencer scored on a breakaway opportunity four minutes into overtime, handing the Lady Demons a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat.

"We have to give so much credit to our defensive unit and to goalkeeper Kayla Bomben in particular," said NSU co-head coach Jess Jobe of a unit that held a conference opponent scoreless for 90 minutes for the first time this season. "Bomben played really hard and was so brave off her line.

"We kept HBU off the scoresheet for a long time, and Bomben did really well in some tough positions. We lean on young defenders back there, and they played really well."
NSU (7-8, 1-6 SLC) hasn't played like a team trying to scratch its way into the SLC Tournament, outshooting HBU 11-10 in the loss, marking the fifth SLC loss in which the Lady Demons equaled or attempted more shots than its opponent.

The loss was particularly heartbreaking after a Jalen Donaldson shot in the first half pinged the crossbar twice without entering the goal. After hitting the bar on the initial shot from close range, the ball bounced hard enough off the ground to make contact with the crossbar again before HBU keeper Alanis Guevara corralled the attempt.

"It's another tough one, but I'm really proud of the way this whole team fought," Jobe said. "We can't expect to win without goals, but we were unbelievably unlucky in a couple of moments.

"We got ourselves into some good positions, and we stretched HBU to the max at times. We're just sick to our stomachs."

Guevara recorded her sixth shutout of the season by making two saves.

HBU (8-5-1, 6-0-1 SLC) didn't attempt a shot on goal until the 76^th minute, resulting in an easy save for Bomben.

The Huskies' second shot on goal was Spencer's game-winner, which resulted from a long backline pass (Baylii Bieke) and a header from midfielder Autumn Wildung to spring Spencer on the fast break. Both players were credited with an assist.

Bomben left the net in an attempt to force Spencer off her route, but Spencer held the ball and worked her away around Bomben to shoot from an angle into the open goal.

The NSU defense posted its seventh game this season in which it held its opponent to two shots on goal or fewer.

The backline, consisting of sophomore Ashley Medawattage and freshmen Kalee Williams, Nicole Henry and Natalee Henry, kept HBU in check for the majority of the match. Freshman Hallie McCarroll also played into the defensive scheme.

Natalee Henry started her first collegiate game Friday.

Senior April Trowbridge and McCarroll attempted NSU's only shots on goal. Junior Jayden Wheeler and Donaldson each led the team with three shots attempted.

NSU finishes its road swing at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Sunday at 1 p.m.