RUSTON – The Northwestern State soccer team created quality chances that didn't find the net Friday night, but the Lady Demons were able to tickle the twine early and often Sunday.

An offensive explosion of three first-half goals carried NSU to a 3-2 win Sunday at Louisiana Tech, the first career wins for co-head coaches Jess and Anna Jobe.

Freshman Kylee Dominy scored her first career goal when she lofted a free kick from about 20 yards away over the outstretched hand of Lady Techsters' keeper Courtney Tompkins four minutes into the match.

"That was huge, a massive boost to start the game that way," said NSU co-head coach Jess Jobe. "Kylee has done really well, and it's hard to take her off the field when she can contribute in that way, especially on set pieces.

"That gave us belief and momentum early on."

Louisiana Tech found the equalizer when Alexandra Augustyn bodied in a goal from in front of the frame in the 29^th minute. A Jaelyn Peeples free kick found Elizabeth Doll on the wing, who crossed in to Augustyn.

But senior forward April Trowbridge took matters into her own hands, scoring two goals in the final 15 minutes of the half to hand NSU the lead for good. The two goals matched a career high for Trowbridge, who netted multi-goal games against Mississippi Valley State in 2017 and Jackson State in 2016.

"This young and inexperienced team did an unbelievable job to keep themselves in the game after Tech tied it up," Jobe said about a squad with 19 freshmen and sophomores. "Trowbridge got into space and was able to players on. She attacks, which is what she does do well.

"But the best thing was that everybody contributed behind her in a big way and hung in during some adversity."

An NSU counter attack finished when Dominy ricocheted a pass off a Techster defender and found Trowbridge. Trowbridge tracked down the ball as she ran toward the far corner, and with Tompkins bearing down, she managed to flick the ball with her right foot at an angle and over Tompkins head.

The play started when sophomore defender Ashley Medawattage cleared a ball out of the box and started the counter attack.

Trowbridge's first goal came in the 36^th minute, and she struck again five minutes later.

Freshman Jalen Donaldson threaded a pass into Trowbridge, who beat a defender and then Tompkins in the lower right corner.

Dominy and Donaldson were credited with their first assists of their careers.

Trowbridge, who scored three goals in 2017, is thriving in her new outside position.

"Trowbridge had two great finishes, and they were different finishes," Jobe said. "We wanted to limit Louisiana Tech's ability to go forward with their direct style, and we were able to fit in and get some counter attacks."

Louisiana Tech opened the second half with a goal on another free kick to slice NSU's edge to 3-2. Peeples' free kick connected with Gabrielle Parent in front of the goal as she finished from close range.

But NSU bowed its neck from that point, thwarting a flurry of Tech scoring chances in the game's final 40 minutes.

​​​​​​​Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Kayla Bomben (1-1) picked up her first career win, making three saves and running out to stop various other Tech attacks.

Defenders Olivia Marazzo, Nicole Henry and Kalee Williams all made diving tackles in the box which prevented Tech from a scoring opportunity.

"Bomben had a great game," Jobe said. "She was brave against a Tech team with good size that delivered a lot of balls into the box.

"She did a great job to lead the back line and communicate. Every player in front of her played extremely hard, and we rotated through about seven players in that role. They barely had enough energy to celebrate because they expended so much energy being relentless."

About 10 minutes into the second half, Bomben punched away a close-range shot on a breakway to help preserve the win.

While the Jobes prefer to shine the light on their team, Jess discussed the meaning of getting their first career wins as head coaches against a quality opponent.

"It feels amazing – it's awesome," Jobe said. "We got one in that first category (win), and it's big for us and our staff.

"It's special to do it against a team like Louisiana Tech. We have a lot of respect for them, and we got a hard fought win against a good team today."

Louisiana Tech had a 12-10 edge in shots, but six of NSU's targets found their mark compared to five for Tech. The Lady Techsters have won 14 games in each of the last two seasons.

The Lady Demons keep their clean sheet against Louisiana Tech, improving to 4-0-1 in the programs' history.

NSU scored three goals in a half for the first time since scoring four goals against Mississippi Valley State in the second half of a 4-0 win.