NATCHITOCHES—Twelve decorated seniors are being honored for Senior Day as the Northwestern State soccer team aims for a fourth straight victory when it welcomes Mississippi Valley State to the Demon Soccer Complex on Sunday to wrap up non-conference play.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN+.

The Senior Day ceremony takes play following the conclusion of the game.

The Demons (3-4-1) are celebrating the careers of Libe Banuelos, Kora Fry, Caitlin Le Roux, Caroline Hilliard, Sabrina Lopez, Kassi Schoen, Taylor Spitzer, Emily Mougia, Sara Fernandez, Kylie Morris, Alina Graf and Isabella Ruggiano.

In the last game, a 1-0 win over Tarleton State, the seniors came up with the biggest plays. Late in the first half, Ruggiano buried a strike top left of the net for the lone goal of the contest.

It was a matter of time for Ruggiano, who has created good looks this season, but found the back of the net for the first time at Northwestern State last game.

Defensively, Banuelos and company posted its fourth consecutive shutout, the first time the Demons have done that since 2021.

In case you forgot, Northwestern State won the Southland Conference regular season and tournament title that season.

Two weeks ago, Banuelos earned SLC Goalkeeper of the Week. This past week, it was Fry's turn to earn the weekly honor, as the two combined for a shutout of Jackson State before Fry posted a solo shutout of Alabama A&M.

"I am really happy about it," Fry said, regarding playing in front of the home fans for Senior Day. "My family will be in town, so it will be nice to have them here. Also, having that special moment with my teammates who I have been with the last few years here and we've grown really close and have had a number of good times together."

Hilliard and Graf have only missed a combined one game this season, starting seven of the eight together, which helps form one of the most formidable back lines in the conference.

Hilliard is one of three current Demons who were on the 2021 championship team, joining Mougia and Fernandez. Hilliard, the 2021 SLC Freshman of the Year, was a starter on the back line for the best defense in program history.

Mougia and Morris are two of the best leaders on the team, as evidenced by them being two of the three team captains.

"I'm sure I'll be pretty emotional," Morris said. I think I'll be pretty happy, though. My parents and family are coming in who have never been to Natchitoches. It will be nice to have them here and show them around, as well as my dog, which will be nice."

Last season, Le Roux recorded the first goal of the season and Lopez scored the last, finding the back of the net in the 89^th minute against her old team Lamar in the SLC Tournament semifinals.

"This is a really good grup of seniors," head coach Ian Brophy said. "It's a great mix of transfers that I've brought in and people who were already here. Overall, it's a great group of people who have been here it stuck with the program through a lot of change. I couldn't be more appreciative of everything they've given to the program."

MVSU (1-2) lost 5-0 last game against Nicholls after winning its first game of the season against Hampton.

The teams have not met since 2018, a 4-2 Demons victory on the road. Overall, Northwestern State is 2-0 in the series. Both games have come in Mississippi.

Five players have scored the seven goals for Northwestern State, showing the depth the Demons have.

The Demons wrap up the homestand Sept. 22 when they open SLC play against Nicholls before heading on the road for three in a row.