SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Northwestern State soccer team continued writing its statement to Southland Conference opponents on Friday, putting up a third-straight shutout win to open conference play.
Sophomore midfielder
Delaney Wells and junior forward
Olivia Draguicevich provided the scoring punch for NSU (3-3-2, 3-0 SLC), leading to a 2-0 victory over Incarnate Word (0-6-1, 0-1 SLC).
The opening goal from Wells, which came off a throw in from senior defender
Natalee Henry, granted Wells a shot high center which proved out of reach for UIW goalkeeper Margaret Kofron. Henry's assist to Wells is the second in as many matches for the veteran defenseman.
Draguicevich scored the final goal for NSU in the 58
th minute off a shared assist in the box from
Kyle Nolen and
Kalee Williams following a scrum in scoring range. Sunday marked the third consecutive match for the Lady Demons in which Draguicevich has scored a goal.
"When we are able to get the ball into the box, Olivia just has a knack for hunting it down and finding the back of the net," head coach
Stuart Gore said. "She is a natural scorer, and we've been reaping the rewards of her success this past week without a doubt."
Williams returned to the lineup Friday after missing NSU's previous match against Nicholls due to injury. In 44 minutes of play on Friday, Williams made her presence felt, putting up the assist to Draguicevich.
Kalee really brings everything she has to the pitch and does a lot for driving the team forward with her relentless drive," Gore said. "It was great getting to have her back out there tonight, and I know she was eager to get back to it."
Following the Lady Demons' fourth consecutive shutout, reigning Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Year – And reigning Goalkeeper of the Week – Aceyla Aydogmus tied the all-time career shutout record at 19. The record has held since 2002, which was set by Tiffany Swingler.
NSU finished the day with a slight edge in shots over UIW, logging nine shot attempts and six shots on goal. The Cardinals put up eight attempts and five shots on goal.
To finish the weekend, the Lady Demons head to the gulf coast for a Sunday match against Texas A&M Corpus-Christi. Kickoff against the Islanders is scheduled for 1 p.m.
