NATCHITOCHES—Battling a pair of lightning delays and the reigning Southland Conference champions, the Northwestern State soccer team played to a scoreless draw against rival Stephen F. Austin in a weather-shortened game on Sunday afternoon at the Demon Soccer Complex.

The game marks the third time NSU (5-2-3, 1-0-1) has had a contest shortened and the second time due to weather.

In a rematch of the epic SLC Tournament match from a season ago, NSU and SFA (3-2-6) went blow-for-blow and in a game between the top two defenses in the SLC, it was fitting the game ended scoreless.

It was also a tale of two halves, as the Demons controlled play throughout the first half, but the script flipped in the second half when the Lumberjacks began peppering NSU goalkeeper Kennedy Rist.

"I was really happy with the first half," said head coach Ian Brophy. "It was probably some of the best soccer we played all year, but I just wish we had a goal to show for all that dominance. In the second half, they got more of a foothold in the game, and we just needed to get back to what was working."

In the first half, NSU jumped out quickly, playing its game and controlling possession, attempting six shots while holding the defending champs without a first half shot.

"The defense was unbelievable in the first half," Brophy said. "In addition to not allowing a single shot, we did a great job recycling possession and getting our attacks started as well."

A pair of freshmen had the best opportunities in the first half for the Demons. Kendall Hemperley nearly scored in the 15^th minute on a header right in front of the net, but her shot went high, right before the first lightning delay.

Hosane Soukou also had a golden opportunity, as she was able to beat SFA goalkeeper Sierra McCluer, but her left-footed shot from a difficult angle at the left edge of the box rolled inches wide right.

In the second half, the Lumberjacks stormed back, out-shooting the Demons 9-3 in the second half to ultimately tie the shot attempts at 9-9.

Fortunately for NSU, it has a brick wall in net.

SFA had a flurry of opportunities in the 57^th minute, starting with Alexis Miller, who had a clear look in the box following a pass right in front of the net, but her shot was saved and deflected out to Alex Bayouth right in front of the net, but Rist made the stop again before it was booted out of harm's way by the NSU defense.

The Lumberjacks had another great chance off the foot of Lucie Platt in the 65^th minute, but her shot was saved by Rist in the top left corner of the goal. She made three total saves in the game.

"Kennedy had some great saves in the second half," Brophy said. "She came up with some big saves to keep the game at 0-0. It is just another example of what she is capable of."

Emily Senatore had one final shot attempt for NSU, but it was off target, her third shot attempt of the game. Shortly thereafter, the game entered a second lightning delay.

Following a brief delay, the game was called early.

"I think we need to continue to find the areas for growth and how we can turn that first half dominance into a goal or two," Brophy said. "But I'm very happy with how we competed despite some tough circumstances with the weather, especially in that first half."

The Demons next welcome Prairie View A&M to Natchitoches for Senior Day on Thursday before heading back into conference play for the rest of the season, starting Sept. 28 at Houston Christian.