Box Score MONROE—It was a tough battle once again, but the Northwestern State soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to UL Monroe Friday at Brown Stadium.

ULM scored on a strike by Melissa Taft from a few yards outside the top of the box in the 65^th minute, and it was the only goal of the contest.

The defense led NSU, allowing just three shots by the Warhawks. The defense was in front of senior goalkeeper Kayla Bomben, who made her first start of the season.

The Lady Demons controlled possession much of the game, and it showed as NSU outshot ULM 8-3.

ULM had the first opportunity minutes of the game, as a few players had decent looks in the box, but the Lady Demons defense recovered to thwart the Warhawks threat.

Minutes after that, the Lady Demons had a chance, but Natalee Henry's shot that went wide for the Lady Demons first chance.

One of NSU's best chances came following a ULM turnover, and Jayme Haynes had the ball in the box and passed it to Maddie Scott, but her left-footed shot went wide and it remained scoreless.

Jalen Donaldson had the last chance of the half, as she had a shot that ULM goalkeeper Rian Kasner got a fingertip on and it hit the crossbar.

NSU was tied at halftime for the third straight contest, even though the Lady Demons dominated the first half. Northwestern State outshot ULM in the first half 5-0.

"We have to find a way to keep our heads up and compete in these moments," co-head coach Jess Jobe said. "We were around the goal quite a bit, but we couldn't get it to the back of the net."

ULM had chances to begin the second half, including a free kick that Bomben made a nice diving save on.

But in the 65^th minute, Taft scored her second goal of the season for the Warhawks to give them a 1-0 lead. It was unassisted from a few yards outside of the top of the box.

Throughout the rest of the match, the Lady Demons applied pressure on the Warhawks defense, but were unable to find the equalizer.

NSU outshot ULM 8-3, and had more shots on goal 4-2.

Northwestern State is back in action Sunday at 1 p.m. against Jackson State. Next weekend, the Lady Demons return home for two matches to round out non-conference play against Texas State and UL Lafayette.