NATCHITOCHES—While revenge may not be the right word, the Northwestern State soccer team wants some payback against Houston Christian on Thursday at the Demon Soccer Complex.

After winning the Southland Conference regular season crown a season ago, the Demons (7-6, 4-1) were upended 2-1 against HCU (6-3-5, 2-0-3) in the conference tournament semifinals and the Huskies went onto win the tournament title and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Thursday's kickoff is at 7 p.m.

"I don't know about revenge, but we definitely want to set things straight," head coach Ian Brophy said. "We have some real motivation to make this thing work and really motivated to defend home turf and get out of here with a win."

Once again, the teams are fighting for the SLC regular season title.

The Demons are tied with UIW atop the league with 12 points and HCU needs to win in order to keep pace. While the Huskies are the only SLC team without a conference loss, they need wins to stay alive in the regular season title chase.

Due to the wins over East Texas A&M and AMCC and only surrendering one goal, goalkeeper Audrey Marfia was named Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Week for the second time in three weeks.

In the last meeting with HCU last season in Beaumont, Texas, Kendall Hemperley scored her second goal in as many games after also finding the back of the net in overtime to beat McNeese in the quarterfinals.

She has used that confidence to put together a strong sophomore campaign, as she has scored two goals and added six assists.

Those six assists are part of a group that has recorded 46 assists this season, which set a new program record after helpers by Emily Gundin and Maliya Maldonado set up a goal by Ravina Sandhu in the win over AMCC this past Sunday.

Gundin continued her sensational senior season with her seventh assist of the season, which is just three behind the single-season NSU record of 10. Her seven total points during league play is tied for first in the Southland.

As a team captain, her teammates have taken notice of her development, both on and off the field.

"Emily is such a strong player, both mentally and physically," sophomore midfielder Gabriela Page said. "She does a great job at holding the ball and waiting for teammates to come up so we can create more opportunities. And then her finishing is insane. On top of that, she became a captain this season, which is awesome because she adds a lot of great leadership and communication to the team."

NSU is back at home where it feels most comfortable. The Demons have gone a school-record 15 consecutive games without losing in front of the home fans, a streak that dates back two years.

In addition to 15 straight unbeaten games at home, NSU has won in its last nine at the Demon Soccer Complex.

In the four home games so far this season, the Demons have scored 34 goals and multiple times in every home contest.

"It is really nice to be playing at home, especially with the energy it brings," Maldonado said. "It is great being at home with the crowd and everyone there."

HCU has been a tough test for the Demons, as not only did the Huskies beat the Demons in the conference tournament last year but also has gone 4-1-1 against NSU since the start of the 2022 season.

"They are tough to beat," Brophy said. "They work really hard and are tough to score on and they are dangerous as well, so they are good at possession, similar to us. It will be a good offensive game and who takes their chances and plays their futbol the best."

Fans who are unable to be at the Demon Soccer Complex can catch the game on ESPN+ with Jason Pugh and Angelina Lee on the call.

Following the visit from the Huskies, the Demons set up for a two-match weekend with Southeastern Louisiana (Oct. 22) on the road before the lone Southland home game on a Sunday against Nicholls (Oct. 25), one day after former player Katie Priest and former head coach Jimmy Mitchell are inducted into the N-Club Hall of Fame.