NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State soccer team, despite a fervorous effort Wednesday night against another Conference USA opponent, remains on the hunt for its first win of the 2021 season.

NSU (0-3-2) drew 0-0 against Louisiana Tech (2-2-1) off of the back of another strong showing by Southland goalkeeper of the year Acelya Aydogmus.

It proved to be a busy night for Aydogmus, as she held off eight on-target shot attempts and played a crucial role in keeping the match a tie.

The Lady Demons posted seven shot attempts on goal, three of which were saved in the net. Louisiana Tech brought about 19 total attempts, though many of Tech's opportunities throughout the night were from distance and ultimately proved to be non-threatening.

The evening proved to be a tale of two periods, as both teams' chances at a lead came in stretches at the net.

"I thought (Tech) was the better team in the first half," head coach Stuart Gore said. "But we came out with a new vigor and kind of controlled the game from there on in.

Control of the opening period was owned largely by the Lady Techsters. Louisiana Tech maintained possession for the majority of the period and posted seven shots to NSU's two through the first, five of which were consecutive.

Later in the period, senior midfielder Kalee Williams finished on a ball from right in front of the net inside the box, which was ultimately disallowed by an offsides call. Louisiana Tech received the same call in the 82^nd minute.  

Williams ended the evening as the leader of the Lady Demon attack, posting two shots. 

NSU entered the second period with a different energy and met the Lady Techsters with a newfound offense. The Lady Demons posted four shot attempts and earned four corner kick chances on which the Lady Demons were unable to cash in on as time expired.

The Lady Demons were inches away from taking the first lead of the night in the first overtime period. Senior forward Olivia Draguicevich took a header attempt in front of the Tech net with 30 seconds remaining, which was inches left of the post, falling as the final shot of the evening for either team.

"Going into overtime as I thought we created some great opportunities," Gore said. It just didn't fall the right way for either team tonight."

NSU returns to action at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex Sunday at 6 p.m. against Louisiana-Monroe.