NATCHITOCHES—Coming off a season in which it recorded its first win over a ranked team in program history and earned the Southland Conference regular season championship, the Northwestern State soccer team is prepared for any challenge that awaits it.

This season, the Demons face three power conference teams in their first three games of the season for the first time in program history, highlighting a strong schedule for NSU in 2026.

Last year, NSU went to Austin and downed No. 19 Texas to start the regular season, and now, the Demons open against perhaps Texas' most heated rival in Oklahoma on Aug. 12 in Norman, Okla. for the first ever meeting.

That is followed with trips to LSU (Aug. 16) and Houston (Aug. 20), the latter of which is the first ever meeting between the two schools.

NSU travels to UL Lafayette (Aug. 23), Grambling (Aug. 30) and Alcorn State (Sept. 3) before coming home for the first regular season home game against Louisiana Tech (Sept. 6).

Prior to the game with Louisiana Tech, fans can come and watch the Demons in front of the home crowd for an exhibition match with LSU Eunice on Aug. 8.

The contest with Tech begins a three-match home stand for NSU, including the Southland Conference opener against Lamar on Sept. 24.

The Demons also host Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 10.

Lamar's visit to begin SLC action begins a difficult stretch to begin conference play for NSU, as it visits archrival Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 27 and then UIW on the first day of October.

In the final month of the season, the Demons alternate home and road the rest of the season.

The Demons follow with a home game against always-difficult East Texas A&M on Oct. 8 before a trip to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Oct 11.

Revenge will be on the mind of NSU when it hosts Houston Christian at the Demon Soccer Complex on Oct. 15, as the Huskies knocked the Demons off in the SLC Tournament semifinals last season with a goal in the closing minutes.

With four games left in the regular season, the Demons play three in a row against Louisiana foes, starting with a trip to Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 22.

NSU returns home to face Nicholls on Oct. 25 before concluding the road portion of the schedule against McNeese on Nov. 1.

To wrap up the regular season, the Demons welcome UTRGV to the Demon Soccer Complex on Nov. 5.


The SLC Tournament is in Commerce, Texas, hosted by East Texas A&M, on Nov. 10, 12 and 15.