NATCHITOCHES—Another year, another classic Southland Conference nailbiter between Northwestern State and UIW.

Like it so often has been, it was NSU (4-5 overall, 2-0 SLC) with the upper hand, as a Taylor Spitzer's first half goal was the difference in a 1-0 victory over UIW (3-4-1, 0-2) on Friday evening at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex.

Spitzer scored in the 13^th minute, the first goal scored in the first half by the Lady Demons all year. It was the defining moment in a dominant first half for NSU.

"It feels really good to get the goal of winning the first two league games at home accomplished," first-year head coach Ian Brophy said. "It is another three points on the board for us, which feels really good. It helps build our conference as we head into our next game at Commerce."

Great passing led to Spitzer's goal, as Sabrina Lopez had the ball near midfield. She fed Emily Gundin, who passed it down the middle for Spitzer in full sprint. Spitzer was 1-on-1 against UIW goalkeeper Erica Defferding and she booted it lower left for the goal.

"We were working all week on our passing patterns in the midfields and forwards," Spitzer said. "That was one of the passing patterns we were working on, and for it to end up in a goal was great teamwork."

Both Gundin and Lopez were credited with assists. Six different players have helpers for NSU on the seven goals this season.

Spitzer led the team with three shots, two of which were on frame. Gundin and Emily Senatore each had two.

Brophy wanted a fast start, and received just that, as the Lady Demons outshot the Cardinals 7-2 in the first opening 45 minutes.

"We started really strong," he said. "We were fast out of the gates and got going really quickly. Emily (Gundin) made a great pass to Taylor, which led to the goal. We were keeping possession really well. I was really happy with the start."

Spitzer nearly tallied another goal, as did Emily Senatore, but Spitzer's was saved and Senatore collected a bouncing ball and her left-footed shot in traffic sailed high.

Banuelos made a big save early against Eve Clarkson as well to keep NSU in front at halftime.

"Defensively, we're more of an organized team than early in the year," Banuelos said. "We know what we have to do defensively. Having four shutouts in five games is a result of hard work by the team."

UIW's Payton Adams was given a red card in the 33^rd minute, so the Cardinals played the final 57 minutes down a player.

Despite playing down a player, UIW flipped the script in the second half, as the Cardinals dominated the final 45 minutes.

UIW had nine shots, compared to NSU's five in the second half.

The Cardinals set the tone less than two minutes into the half off a chance from leading scorer Sierra Wannamaker.

UIW had three major chances in the second half, but the Lady Demons defense, specifically Banuelos, stood tall to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.

In the 65^th minute, Alex Knutson fired one off the crossbar from outside the top of the box. Minutes later, Addison Rodriguez had a race to the ball with Banuelos and just before the two would collide, Rodriguez tried to chip the ball over and into the back of the net, but it sailed harmlessly over the net.

Banuelos earned the shutout the hard way, as she made a spectacular save to finish the game. The junior goalkeeper made a huge save one-on-one against Sinead Duffy. Banuelos came out of her net to challenge Duffy and the shot was blocked by the challenging Banuelos and the ball was booted out to keep the Lady Demons in front.

UIW had two late shots, but Brianna Mata's shot was blocked and Clarkson's was stopped by Banuelos, who made three crucial stops.

Mata had the most shot attempts for the Cardinals with three. Clarkson and Knutson each had two.

Winning the shot battle 12-11, NSU is now 3-0 when it does that this season and is 4-0 when scoring first.

The Lady Demons are accustomed to playing one-goal games, as they are 3-2 this season in them, including the last three and four of the last five have been decided by a single goal.

NSU has a quick turnaround, as it travels to Texas A&M-Commerce for the first conference road game Sunday afternoon. The team returns to Natchitoches on Sept. 29 for a battle with in-state rival McNeese.