NATCHITOCHES—It was a successful season in year one for co-head soccer coaches Jess and Anna Jobe. Now it's time to build on it, as the Northwestern State soccer team begins the 2019 season with a tough exhibition match against Little Rock Saturday. 

The contest is at 3 pm. at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex. It is the only preseason contest for both teams. 

Following a one-year absence from the Southland Conference Tournament, the Jobes led the Lady Demons back to the tournament last season. 

Going into this exhibition, Jess Jobe thinks his team is right where it needs to be at the moment, but knows they have a lot more work to do. 

"There are several things we need to polish up," Jobe said. "But we're ready to go and get this game in on Saturday, so we can learn from it. I think we're ready." 

Last season, Little Rock finished second in the regular season in the Sun Belt and won the conference tournament to clinch its first berth in the NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. The two schools met in the exhibition last season in Little Rock, a match in which the Trojans won 3-0. 

Jess Jobe is excited to have a team as talented as Little Rock to play NSU in the exhibition. 

"(Little Rock head coach) Mark Foster is a good friend and a great guy," Jobe said. "He runs a tremendous program over there and we know we can expect a good contest. We really wanted to go out and find a good, quality opponent for this exhibition." 

It is paramount that the Lady Demons have this contest to get the feel of the system in game action, especially since 14 of the players on the squad are new. 

Some of the players who aren't new are sophomores Kylee Dominy, Jalen Donaldson and Norma Trejo, who all had three goals last year, which led the returners. They will be tasked with helping replace the losses of Brittany Caserma and April Trowbridge, two of the best goal scorers in program history. 

They won't be the only ones who will help in that regard, as freshmen Olivia Mattsson and Jayme Haynes have stepped up in practice in that department. 

After her first season as the starting goalkeeper, senior Kayla Bomben aims to improve upon her solid numbers in 2018. 

One thing is for certain, after two weeks of playing nothing but their own teammates, they are ready to play a different colored jersey. 

"I think we're excited and I think the players are up for it," Jess Jobe said. "I know we've been waiting to get a real opponent in. We're ready to go." 

The regular season begins Aug. 22 when the Lady Demons play on the road against North Texas. It will be the first of three consecutive road matches to begin the regular season. The first home regular season contest is Sept. 1 against in-state rival Louisiana Tech. 

Following Saturday's contest, there will be a free soccer kid's clinic. Boys and girls ages 4-12 can learn from the Lady Demons. It will last about 45 minutes, and while the event is free, donations will be accepted. 

Admission for all fans is free to the game thanks to the sponsorship of the Louisiana Army National Guard.