NATCHITOCHES—The Northwestern State soccer team couldn't have asked for a better situation than it finds itself in as it hosts Southland Conference newcomer UTRGV to conclude the home portion of the schedule.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The Demons (9-6-2, 5-2-1) have everything in their sights after clinching a spot in the SLC Tournament with Friday's win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

It is the first ever meeting between the two schools, as the Vaqueros (7-4-5, 3-1-4) are in their first season in the SLC.

"It is exciting to play UTRGV in conference for the first time," head coach Ian Brophy said. "Thjey are another team that we know is going to be very challenging. They have been very tough defensively but have also carried a threat going forward which makes them a tough team to beat. We know a tough test awaits us on Sunday."

The offense has been sensational, scoring 16 goals in league play and has scored in 12 straight games, the most consecutive matches scored in the same since finding the back of the net 17 straight contests in 2002 and the most overall since scoring in 13 straight, spanning the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Prior to the season, Brophy set a goal of scoring 20 times during SLC play. In their five wins during conference play, the Demons scored multiple goals in four of them, including pouring in four at McNeese.

The Demons scored twice in the victory over Lamar, including one off the foot of Madison Murphy, who scored her first collegiate goal in the box to give Northwestern State a lead it would not relinquish.

Early in the second half, Taylor Spitzer found the back of the net for her career-high fifth goal of the season. Her 13 points during league play is second, just one behind Texas A&M-Commerce's Kaydence Ramirez for the conference lead.

Racing out to a fast start has been a trademark for the Demons during SLC play. They scored the first goal in seven out of the eight games in SLC play and have had the lead in all eight contests.

"I think we get off to fast starts because of the way we practice," Sabrina Lopez said. "During practice, we work hard and stick to the tactics and it shows during games."

While the Demons offense is on fire, the UTRGV defense is playing equally as well.

UTRGV has allowed just eight goals during league play so far, tied with Northwestern State for the fourth-fewest goals allowed.

Libe Banuelos is coming off arguably her best performance of the season, making five critical saves, including a few in dangerous opportunities, to keep the Demons in the lead.

Also a part of that defense is freshman Sophie Minnillo, who has acclimated herself quite nicely so far.

"During my first year at Northwestern State, I definitely feel like I have gotten more accurate at passing and building out of the back while I have been here."

With her shutout against Lamar, Banuelos has eight career solo shutouts, which is tied with Chloe DeShazer (2022) for seventh in program history.

Following the match, Northwestern State finishes the regular season at rival Stephen F. Austin on Friday before SLC Tournament play begins on the campus of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.