NATCHITOCHES — While the end result was the same, the way in which the Northwestern State soccer team went about its business Saturday was a positive takeaway. NSU dropped a 1-0 decision to Incarnate Word at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex, but co-head coach Jess Jobe was upbeat with how his team improved in two short days. 

"Both results 1-0, but two very, very different games," Jobe said. "We came out (Saturday) and did exactly what we wanted to do. We put together a game plan and put ourselves in the best position we could have to see the ball go in the back of the net. Unfortunately, it didn't fall for us."

Sierra Wannamaker netted the game's only goal in the 89th minute, which pushed Incarnate Word's record to 6-3-3 overall and 5-2-3 in Southland Conference play. Northwestern State dropped to 8-3-1 overall and 6-3-1 in league action.

The Lady Demons peppered the Cardinals with 19 shots, eight of which were on frame. That comes on the heels of a Thursday night affair with Abilene Christian, a 1-0 loss, where NSU only managed five shots. 

"(Against ACU), we didn't get the chances we needed," Jobe said. "We didn't really test the goalkeepers. We didn't put them under the pressure we would have liked to. That's what we are able to do today. We played fantastic today. We played really, really well." 

Junior Jalen Donaldson and sophomore Olivia Draguicevich led NSU with five shots apiece. Juniors Kalee Williams and Kiara Padilla logged two shots each. 

Incarnate Word goalkeeper Margaret Kofron boasted eight saves on the day. Offensively, the Cardinals recorded 12 shots, three of which were on target, as NSU junior goaltender Acelya Aydogmus had two saves. 

Northwestern State has dropped two in a row, heading into its regular-season finale. But rather than Saturday being a letdown that could lead to more disappointment, Jobe is confident about his team extracting the encouraging portions of Saturday's play and implementing them going forward.  

"There's so many good things that took place today," Jobe said. "We unfortunately didn't find that breakthrough. We put ourselves in great opportunity and place to do so. Disappointed, obviously, but we'll take positives away and continue to get better from it. I think we'll go into our next game with a lot of momentum and excitement."

At Central Arkansas is that next game. It's set for a Friday 5 p.m. kick time.