NATCHITOCHES—The Northwestern State put pressure on the Lamar defense but couldn't find the back of the net in a 2-0 loss at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex on Friday evening in a matchup of arguably the top two teams in the Southland Conference.

Despite NSU (4-2-1 overall, 1-1 SLC) out-shooting Lamar 13-5, the Cardinals (5-0-1, 2-0) took advantage of their opportunities to put a pair on the board and win the defensive slugfest.

"They didn't really have many chances against us," NSU women's soccer coach Stuart Gore said. "But when they did get them, they took advantage and that is what good teams do."

Cariel Ellis and Abby Gemza each scored second half goals to break a scoreless halftime deadlock and keep Lamar's undefeated season alive.

In the 67^th minute, goalkeeper Nicole Panis launched a free kick into NSU territory, which bounced to Ellis, who had a clean look and put it past a diving NSU goalkeeper Chloe DeShazer to the left side of the goal.

Gemza cemented the win for the Cardinals with a tally in the 86^th minute following a free kick. Arely Alaniz booted a kick from just past the top left corner of the box. The ball found its way through and was tipped by Isela Ramirez before going to the back post and tipped in by Abby Gemza.

For the sixth time in seven games, the Lady Demons out-shot their opponent, but Friday was the first loss of the season in which they attempted more shots than their opponent.

NSU dominated possession in the first half, especially early in the game.

Natalee Henry had two shots early in the contest, including one in which she had a clean look in the box, but her left-footed kick went out wide right of Panis, who made four saves on the game for her third consecutive shutout on the season.

Sam Hanking had an opportunity in the 38^th minute, trying a bicycle kick from a few yards away near the post, but Panis was there for the save.

NSU had five shots in the first half, compared to one for Lamar.

"I thought we dominated in the first half," Gore said. "We got a few opportunities, but we have to cash in. In the second half, it was a bit of a chess match. They took advantage of their opportunities and we didn't."

A free kick was stopped on a leaping save by Panis, which was another scoring opportunity for NSU early in the second half.

But Lamar began to put pressure on the Northwestern State defense in the second half. A collision between DeShazer and Ramirez on a race to the ball was a near goal for Lamar. But not long after, the Cardinals broke through.

NSU aims to bounce back in a tough environment at Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday. The contest begins a stretch of two consecutive matches on the road. NSU returns home on Sept. 30 for a game against Houston Baptist.

"Southeastern is a tough team at home," Gore said. "We have to go back at it and brush this one off and see if we can hopefully put our opportunities away."