NATCHITOCHES—While the offense has been clicking this season, the ol' reliable stingy defense proved it can still win games when it needs to.

Northwestern State (4-1-1 overall, 1-0 Southland Conference) limited UIW to just five shots, none of which were on goal, as it opened conference play with a 1-0 victory Sunday afternoon in the Southland Conference women's soccer opener for both teams, who met in the conference tournament title game last fall, also won by NSU.

"I am really proud of my defense and how we do things back there," goalkeeper Chloe DeShazer said. "We communicate really well with each other. We worked a lot on not letting the ball get down towards the flank, which is where a lot of shots do come from."

Olivia Draguicevich's goal in the 8^th minute was the difference, as NSU recorded its second consecutive shutout.

She received a lead feed from Natalee Henry up the middle of the field and she dribbled it into the middle of the box and put home the shot bottom left corner of the goal for the lone tally.

"I think getting the goal so early, we relaxed and I think that was a problem," Draguicevich said. "I don't think we could get out of second gear after that. We got a lot of opportunities, but I think this week in practice we will hone in on finishing those, come next weekend."

The tally was her 30^th career goal, which is second in program history, just five behind Britiany Cargill for the most in school history. The goal also moves her past Julie Zavala into third place for the most points in school history.

"We had the early goal and then we had other opportunities to put them to bed," NSU women's soccer coach Stuart Gore said. "We let them hang around for too long."

Her goal came in a dominant first half, in which NSU out-shot UIW 11-1, but it was just 1-0 heading into the break. For the game, Northwestern State generated 20 shots, compared to just five for UIW. It is the fifth game on the season where NSU has attempted at least 18 shots in the game and is 4-0-1 in those contests.

UIW (1-4, 0-1) frantically tried to score the equalizer in the final minute but could not put one past Chloe DeShazer. Tegan Browning attempted a shot in the final half minute near the edge of the 18-yard box, but the shot sailed right to seal NSU's triumph.

The victory is the fourth consecutive win in the conference opener and fourth straight win overall against the Cardinals.

Jayme Haynes had a chance to put UW on the board even earlier, as the Lady Demons were awarded a penalty kick after Natalee Henry was tackled by UIW goalkeeper Margaret Kofron in the box. Haynes' penalty kick hit the left post and it was booted out of harm's way by the Cardinals defense.

Henry was in the middle of another chance in the 31^st minute, as she attempted a free kick following a foul, but her boot hit the crossbar and bounced down before being kicked away.

Five minutes later, she had another golden opportunity, as she beat the goalkeeper clean, but her shot was saved by the UIW defense, which had come back to assist Kofron.

"You ask questions when you're not creating chances," Gore said. "At least we were able to create great chances."

In the 88^th minute, Draguicevich nearly had her second goal of the afternoon, heading the ball on goal. The Northwestern State players thought the ball went in, but it was ruled as a save, one of Kofron's nine on the game.

NSU concludes its three-match home stand with a visit from Lamar on Friday evening before finishing the weekend with a trip to Southeastern Louisiana on Sept. 18.