NATCHITOCHES – Another dominant outing for the Northwestern State soccer team, coupled with forces outside of the Lady Demon Soccer Complex on Friday found NSU on top of the Southland Conference race.

NSU (7-4-3, 7-1-1 SLC) completed its third season sweep of league opponents against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (4-8-2, 2-4-2 SLC), posting a 2-0 shutout against the Islanders off of goals from junior forward Olivia Draguicevich and reigning Southland Defender of the Year Nicole Henry.  

NSU outlasted and challenged a first-half Islander assault which was reinforced by a steady wind coming out of the north. Despite the Islanders dominating possession throughout the half, NSU managed to stave off the opposition through to halftime. At half, NSU held a 7-4 edge in shots, including two shots on goal to the Islanders' zero.

With the strengthening wind now at their backs, the Lady Demons' best chance to take the lead was approaching in the second half.

Draguicevich's goal came 54 seconds into play resuming, following a deflected Islander pass from senior defender Natalee Henry well into Islanders' territory. The loose ball was hunted down by Draguicevich for a one-touch opportunity that found the net at low right.

"Entering the second half, it's always great to get a goal early, but a goal inside of a minute, anybody will take that," head coach Stuart Gore said. "It completely changed the dynamic of the game."

Draguicevich's eleventh goal of the season proved to be the eventual game winner, raising her total to five – a mark which sets a new NSU single-season record for game winning goals.

"We made a point to come out strong and play our game in the second half like we know we can," Draguicevich said. "(Nat) did all the work for me on that one. She worked really hard to get that ball into position, and it paid off for us in a big way."

Henry, scoring NSU's second goal of the affair, drove the ball deep up the right wing, locked in with an Islander defender. Henry faked a shot at 15 yards out, and her opponent took the bait, allowing her to breach the Islander defense and earn her first goal of the season in the 66^th minute.  

Current Southland Goalkeeper of the Year Acelya Aydogmus tallied four saves in Friday's outing, securing the Lady Demons' third consecutive shutout and eighth on the season. Friday's match represents Aydogmus' 23^rd career shutout, as she continues to build upon an all-time record set on Sept. 19^th in NSU's initial match against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

The evening concluded with seven Lady Demons with shots recorded, including a five-shot night for junior defender Jayme Haynes.  

By virtue of its win against the Islanders and McNeese's 3-1 loss to Southland foe Incarnate Word on Friday, NSU now is in sole possession of first place. Next, the usurper Cardinals turn their gaze towards Natchitoches, as the Lady Demons host UIW for a noon kick on Sunday.