NATCHITOCHES — The Northwestern State women's soccer team closed out the 2019 season winning six of its final seven matches. The Lady Demons were peaking at a time when all teams aim to peak.

That strong finish to the 2019 season, albeit a long time ago, has leaked over into the 2021 spring season. Defeating Louisiana Tech 2-1 on Wednesday night in Ruston was further proof of that. 

"For (the Louisiana Tech game) to be a jumping off spot for us, is unbelievable," said co-head coach Jess Jobe. "It felt like we picked up right where we left off. We couldn't be happier as coaches, that's for sure." 

The Lady Demons will carry those good feelings into their final of two non-conference matches Saturday. NSU travels to Monroe to battle ULM at 1 p.m. inside Brown Stadium. 

Ahead of the Louisiana Tech game, Jobe understood the importance of the abbreviated non-conference slate. He knew the game Wednesday and the one coming up on Saturday would be paramount for his team's development. 

"It's really important to find out where we are when somebody is throwing things at us that we haven't seen," Jobe said.

Louisiana Tech threw plenty at the Lady Demons, and they answered most of those challenges. Junior Kalee Williams and sophomore Olivia Draguicevich provided the scoring punch, as each found the back of the net. Junior goaltender Acelya Aydogmus made the two goals stand up, registering three saves on the night. 

While it took an entire team effort to defeat the Lady Techsters, the three aforementioned players are a microcosm of the team. There's plenty of youth within the Lady Demons' soccer program, and Jobe was pleased with how some of the inexperience didn't look all that green. 

"We still do have a young team, overall," Jobe said. "As experienced as we are, we are leaning on some young players, leaning on freshmen and sophomores. But it's a great start. I'm certainly not unhappy with them, and overall the girls really, really applied themselves (against Louisiana Tech)."

NSU will battle a Warhawks' team that played 10 matches this past fall, going 0-10. ULM was shutout five times, however, only lost its last two matches in overtime and double overtime, respectively. 

The Warhawks downed Division II UT-Tyler 3-0 on Wednesday in Monroe. Janet Stopka logged a hat trick, giving her five goals for the season. 

The Lady Demons are 15-8-2 all-time against ULM. The Warhawks downed NSU 1-0 during the 2019 season. 

Following the ULM match, Northwestern State will remain on the road and open Southland Conference play at Sam Houston on Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m.