NATCHITOCHES—Northwestern State dominated possession for much of the game, but McNeese capitalized on two scoring opportunities in the final six minutes in a 2-0 Cowgirls win in a Southland Conference match Friday evening at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex.

The chances were limited for both teams, but while NSU (4-7 overall, 2-2 SLC) could not find the back of the net on its few opportunities, McNeese (5-4-2, 2-0-1) took advantage of a turnover to score on a goal from Isabelle Smith in the 85^th minute, which proved to be the game-winner.

On the goal, Smith forced a turnover and NSU goalkeeper Libe Banuelos came out to try to get the ball, but Smith trickled it into the bottom right of the open net before Banuelos could scramble back and stop it.

The Cowgirls cemented the win on a goal less than three minutes later on a counterattack when the Lady Demons were trying to push for the equalizer. Smith passed it ahead to Romero, who scored in the top left corner of the goal past a leaping Banuelos to double the advantage.

"It was a very frustrating game," first-year head coach Ian Brophy said. "I thought we were very good in possession and were the better team overall in the way we controlled play and controlled the game. McNeese can make it frustrating. They were disciplined and sat in defensively. But I feel like we need to be better at creating attacking opportunities in a game like that."

The Cowgirls were able to burn off the final few minutes of the game to win their second straight match and have not been defeated in league play in three contests.

NSU's defense held the Cowgirls in check, as McNeese had six shots in the game, five of which came in the second half. Four of the shots came on goal. NSU recorded five shots in the game, two of which came on frame.

"I think the defense had a good night for the most part," Brophy said. "We had one little miscue that led to their first goal, but overall, I thought we were good. We dominated possession and didn't give them too many chances."

Five different Lady Demons attempted shots. Morgan Schooley and Kiana Kukaua led the Cowgirls with two shots apiece.

Four of McNeese's six shot attempts came in the final 13 minutes.

Prior to the pair of McNeese goals, Taylor Spitzer nearly found the back of the net for the fifth time this season for the best opportunity for the Lady Demons. Spitzer made a few moves to find a bit of an opening at the top right corner of the box, but her shot sailed just wide and high, trying for the top left corner of the goal.

"This is a learning experience," Brophy said. "Sometimes when you don't take the chances you get and put them on frame, you get stung as a result. Teams at this level are good enough to make you pay for one little mistake and that is what happened."

In the first half, the teams only combined for three shot attempts, with none being dangerous scoring opportunities.

Julia Pinho Magno and Riley Stern had the two shot attempts for NSU in the second half, both of which were off target.

Banuelos made two saves for NSU, while Jackie Kelly made two saves as well for McNeese. In the second half, Briana O'Dell came in as the goalkeeper for the Cowgirls and did not record a save.

NSU now heads on the road for three straight matches, starting Oct. 6 at Lamar. The Lady Demons return to Natchitoches on Oct. 15 when they host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.