NATCHITOCHES—Northwestern State used a second half goal from
Kate Bouck to turn a 1-1 halftime deadlock into a 2-1 victory over UTRGV in the regular season finale on Thursday afternoon at the Demon Soccer Complex.
NSU (9-9, 6-4) scored on a blast from Bouck in the 54
th minute that was initially stopped by UTRGV goalkeeper Mariana Amezcua, but after stopping the head-high shot, the shot was so fast, it bounced off Amezcua's hands and over her head and into the back of the net.
It was Bouck's first goal of the season, coming at a perfect time.
The Demons are going to be either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in next week's Southland Conference Tournament, depending on how McNeese does against Lamar.
"This was a big three points," head coach
Ian Brophy said. "We really needed it. It secures a top four finish, and we've done that in all my years here, so that is a positive.
"I thought we could have played a lot better. I didn't think we were great on the day. We had a lot of control and a lot of possession, but I don't think we were very dangerous with that possession and that is one area we need to continue to improve in."
The Vaqueros had a chance to tie it up, but the Demons defense—and a bit of luck—helped keep the visitors from tying the scoreboard.
In the 78
th minute, UTRGV had a golden opportunity, but Melany Gallegos' shot drilled the crossbar before being booted out of harm's way by the Demons defense.
NSU also survived two consecutive corner kicks in the final two minutes to secure the win.
The teams traded goals in the first half less than five minutes apart.
Kendall Hemperley found the back of the net for the third time this season in the 14
th minute for NSU before Sienna Gillespie answered for the Vaqueros.
"It was great to be able to score to start us out on a high," Hemperley said. "That is one of the reasons why we won. We carried that high throughout the game, even after we got scored on."
Fouls were at a premium in the first half, and the refs let them play, but
Gabriela Page's jersey was pulled a few yards outside the top of the box in the 14
th minute, resulting in a free kick.
Maliya Maldonado attempted the free kick, and her initial attempt was saved by Amezcua, but the rebound found the left foot of Hemperley, who kicked it in to take the lead.
"While it might have been a bit lucky on the second goal, we talk as a team and coaching staff that we need to put our shots on frame and make the keeper make saves," Brophy said. "You never know when something like that is going to happen and it could win us a game, and that is what it did today. If shots aren't on frame, you can't score."
Minutes later,
Emily Gundin had a chance to double the lead, but her shot hit the crossbar and it remained 1-0.
Less than a minute after Gundin nearly made it 2-0, the Vaqueros knotted the score, as NSU turned it over at midfield and Gillespie lobbed it over the outstretched arms of
Saki Tsuchiya from about 30 yards to tie the score.
While the Demons outshot UTRGV 13-3 in the first half, the Demons were tied at halftime. For the game, the Demons out-shot UTRGV 23-7, led by Gundin's five and
Alexia Adimmah's four.
"I was proud of our back line today," Bouck said. "We had about 80 percent possession in the game, which is really important. We were able to keep it in the back line a lot, which is something we've been working on all season.
"We've done well at it in some games and not so much in others, but I think today was pretty good. It's good for our confidence going into the conference tournament and I think our back line has improved every game so far."
Next up for NSU is the conference tournament, which starts Thursday in Commerce, Texas, on the campus of East Texas A&M. The Demons will find out the seeding and opponent after the completion of Thursday's games.
