NATCHITOCHES—Despite not being in the same conference for long, Northwestern State has formed quite a rivalry with Texas A&M-Commerce.

Of the four meetings, three of them have been decided by one goal, including the classic Southland Conference Tournament semifinal game in 2022, one in which the Lions won in double overtime.

Chapter No. 5 in this new conference rivalry is another huge contest for both teams, as Northwestern State (7-5-2, 3-1-1) and TAMUC (4-7-3, 3-1-1) battle to keep pace with first place Stephen F. Austin in the SLC standings.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Demon Soccer Complex.

This is a big game, one we feel we need to have," head coach Ian Brophy said. "We know they are going to be ready to play. They are a very good team. We know it is going to be a tough one."

The Demons are coming off a 1-1 draw at home against Houston Christian on Friday, while the Lions took care of Nicholls 2-0 in Commerce.

The matchup features two of the highest-scoring teams in the conference, as Northwestern State is second with 30 points (10 goals, 10 assists) and TAMUC is third with 20 (seven goals, six assists).

Among the scorers are the top three goal-scorers in SLC play, led by the Lions' Kaydence Ramirez.

Ramirez has scored five goals, leading the league in that category, two more than any other player, a group of three that include the Demons' Emily Senatore and Taylor Spitzer.

Spitzer recorded an assist on Julia Pinho Magno's goal against HCU. Her seven points ties her for second in the SLC with Southeastern Louisiana's Hannah McCord, both trailing only Ramirez.
After challenging itself during non-conference play, the Lions came into SLC play battle-tested.

Following a 1-6-2 record in non-conference action, TAMUC has started the SLC slate strong, matching Northwestern State's league record.

While Ramirez highlights the offense with five of the seven Lions goals during league play, the defense has been the calling card for TAMUC.

In their five conference games, the Lions have surrendered just three goals total, with two coming in their only loss in SLC play, a 2-1 defeat to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Gillian McKenzie has recorded two shutouts during SLC play, but missed the final five minutes of the loss to TAMUCC and did not play in the home win last time out against Nicholls.

While the Lions have recorded four shutouts, the Demons need to attempt some shots on goal, as TAMUC has made just 10 total saves in the five league games.

On the Northwestern State, Libe Banuelos has stopped 18 shots in 23 shot attempts on goal, recording a .783 save percentage.

The Demons have nearly the same starting lineup in each league game, making just one change, which came last game against HCU.

Following the match, Northwestern State heads back on the road to face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi before coming back home for two against SLC preseason favorite Lamar (Oct. 25) and conference newcomer UTRGV (Oct. 27).