LAKE CHARLES—In a rematch of one of the most exciting Southland Conference Tournaments games last season, the Northwestern State soccer team travels to McNeese in the road game of the year.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Cowgirl Field and can be watched on ESPN+

NSU (8-8, 5-3) aims to keep its regular season title hopes alive as the jockeying for tournament seeding heats up with two matches remaining.

McNeese (8-6-3, 3-2-3) sits in a tie for sixth place in the conference standings with 12 points, just three points behind the Demons in fourth.

Lamar sits in first place with 19 points.

The Demons are coming off a monster victory over Nicholls in front of the home crowd, as they dominated the second half in a 3-0 win, their third shutout of the season.

That victory along with other results puts NSU in the SLC Tournament for the ninth straight season, a streak that begin back in 2018.

In the win over the Colonels, NSU recorded goals from Tayla Crandell, Maliya Maldonado and Tiana Cruz in the triumph. Cruz's seven points in Southland play are tied for the most on the team with senior Emily Gundin.

"Tayla got us kick started with the first one, but just her general play in the lead up to the goal as well with her energy," Brophy said. "She gave those center backs a real problem, and we were looking for someone to give us a spark. She is very capable and got us rolling. We've got great depth and we have a lot of players we can turn to in tough moments."

Maldonado scored on a penalty kick, but the other two were assisted by sophomore Kendall Hemperley, who took the momentum carried from her SLC Tournament success last season into this season, where she is tied for the conference lead with eight assists.

She is just two shy of the program record for a single season of 10, set by Erin Hebert in 2005.

"Last season, it left me on a high," Hemperley said. "Spring had a really big affect on that as well and I had a nice spring and I worked really hard in the summer. Hopefully we are able to carry the high we've had during the regular season into the conference tournament."

The tandem of Saki Tsuchiya and Audrey Marfia made a combined four saves for the combined shutout.

The defense has helped surrender only one goal in the past two games. It is no coincidence that it coincides with the return of Rhiley Potteiger, who had missed the previous 10 matches due to injury.

"It feels great to be back in the swing of things," Potteiger said. "Building my minutes will help prepare me for the tournament coming up. The focus for me right now is getting me back in a feel for the game and getting me comfortable again and trying to get the best seeding we can in the tournament and play the best we can when we get there."

McNeese has surprised many after being picked ninth in the Southland preseason poll. It is led by head coach Alexsis Cable, who was a graduate assistant in 2017 and 2018 at Northwestern State, first under George Van Linder and then Jess and Anna Jobe's first season in Natchitoches.

The Cowgirls are in the midst of a difficult stretch that sees them play four of the best teams in the Southland in a span of five matches to end the season, already tying Houston Christian and falling against UIW before finishing with NSU and at Lamar.

"McNeese is tough," Brophy said. "Even last year, we had them in the playoffs and it went to overtime. We know they've got a good team and have really taken a step forward and put together some really nice results. Away from home is always difficult, so we know we have a tough game in front of us, and we need to be on it to beat McNeese."

Following the match is one more game in front of the home fans in 2026, as the Demons welcome UTRGV to the Demon Soccer Complex on Thursday for an 11 a.m. kickoff in this regular season finale.