NATCHITOCHES—Two first half goals in another offensive explosion lifted Northwestern State to a 3-0 victory at home against Grambling on Thursday evening at the Demon Soccer Complex.

It is the third straight game for NSU (4-1-1) where it scored at least three goals in a game and the fourth time in the team's six contests.

The Demons received goals from Emily Senatore and Riley Stern in the first half to jump start the home team before Hosane Soukou nailed the door shut, finding the back of the net in the second half to create the final score.

"That goal from Emily got us into a groove," head coach Ian Brophy said. "We started to grow into that rhythm even before the penalty, which is probably why we won it. We really started building off that. We were playing really well and then got the second goal.

"I told our team I thought there was another one out there in the second half and see us get that and put in a professional performance to finish the game."

Each team had its share of opportunities in the first 20 minutes, but an unfortunate bounce for Grambling hit a Tigers player in the hand in her own box for a penalty kick for the Demons.
There was no doubt who would take it.

Senatore's boot hit the right post before deflecting in to give NSU a 1-0 lead and her fifth goal of the season and 16^th of her career.

"I knew I had it," Senatore said. "We actually talked about this since we played them in the spring and had a penalty kick shootout. Coach Ian told me I wasn't going to take one then since we play them in the fall and it worked out perfectly."

The offense didn't let up from there, still putting pressure on the Grambling (2-3-1) defense.

The Demons speed gave the visitors problems in the first half, helping earn four corner kicks in the first half and seven in total.

NSU doubled the lead on a great play by Stern, fresh off a three-assist performance at Mississippi Valley State.

Stern fought the defense in the box to come away with the ball, and her shot rolled just under Grambling goalkeeper Kaia Bace.

"I think Ravina (Sandhu) jumped up with her defender and it kind of slid over her head," Stern said. "The ball really just fell right in front of me, and I knew the keeper was coming across, so I knew I had to cut it across to the back post and that is what I did and it went in."

As good as the offense was, the defense may have been even better. Led by Jessica Spitzer and Sophia Minnillo, the Demons held the Tigers to four shots in the first half.

"I thought the defenders were great tonight," Brophy said. "Soph and Jess handled the matchup really well, pressuring and covering. We had a really good situation with them. I was really happy with the overall performance defensively, specifically, with the fact that we kept a clean sheet tonight."

The defense held up for redshirt freshman goalkeeper Audrey Marfia, who was making her first career start.

The Demons out-shot Grambling 12-4 in the first half and 19-12 for the game, as Marfia made five saves to post a shutout.

Senatore also made her presence felt as a distributor as well, serving a perfect lead pass to Soukou and the freshman did the rest, dribbling to the right side of the box and sending it home to cement the 3-0 win.

Coming into the game, Alana Aiken scored five goals to lead Grambling this season, including four in the previous two games. The defense held Aiken in check, as she attempted four shots, but only one on goal.

She had one dangerous opportunity late, but a sliding tackle from Anika Sproxton thwarted the opportunity, helping her freshman goalkeeper finish off the clean sheet.

NSU is back in action Sunday evening when it hosts UL Lafayette to finish off the home weekend before traveling to Abilene Christian.