RUSTON—During Northwestern State's winning streak, it has used a lethal offense.
The offense once again was the catalyst, as the Demons (3-5) won 4-2 on the road against Grambling (1-7-1) at the Ruston Soccer Complex.
It is the first time since 2018 that the Demons scored at least four goals in three straight games when NSU scored four goals in four straight.
"It was a good win," head coach
Ian Brophy said. "I am really happy with the way we played, especially with the way we started the match. I thought we could have had even more goals in the first half, so I am happy with the way we played in that half.
"I thought in the first 15 minutes in the second half was a little rocky and we drifted away with what we normally do, but I am proud of our team to fight through that period and wrestle the game back with those two late goals."
NSU's victories over Louisiana Tech and Arkansas-Pine Bluff showed the depth of the offense, and it showed out once again, as
Tiana Cruz and
Alexia Adimmah found the back of the net to start the scoring and help lift the Demons to their third-straight victory.
The Demons aimed for a fast start after scoring two goals in the first six matches in the first half.
Mission accomplished. After scoring 16 goals in the first half against UAPB, NSU tallied two more in the first 22 minutes to take early control.
NSU started the scoring with a 10
th minute goal from Cruz to take the lead, one NSU never relinquished, as the visitors withstood a second half flurry from Grambling to win.
Cruz was the recipient of a cross from
Kendall Hemperley into the middle of the box, and Cruz sent it home, going to the bottom left corner of the goal to set the tone for the game.
It is her fourth in three games, with at least one in every game.
"It feels really good to have that kind of goal streak for sure," Cruz said. "It has all about being open in the right areas and timing my runs. It is all about being ready for when I get the ball."
The assist is Hemperley's fifth of the season, one shy of
Riley Stern's team-leading six.
NSU doubled the lead in the 22
nd minute on a goal from Adimmah, as reigning Southland Conference Player of the Week
Paige Baumgartner passed it back to the top left corner of the box, where Adimmah's left-footed shot found the back of the net going bottom right of the goal.
It is her second straight game with a goal and the third consecutive game with at least one point for the freshman.
NSU had chances early, including one by Baumgartner that drilled the crossbar in the fourth minute.
The Demons led 2-1 at halftime, but Grambling controlled the opening part of the second half.
The Lady Tigers cut the Demons lead in half following a penalty kick after a foul in the box in the 56
th minute.
Nyla Dore-Anderson connected on her team-leading fifth of the season to draw the Lady Tigers closer.
However, NSU sealed the deal with a pair of late goals from
Gabriela Page and
Riley Stern just 2:20 apart to push the lead to three goals.
With the Demons clinging to a one-goal lead, Page delivered a perfect shot from the top of the box off a pass from Baumgartner in the 80
th minute for her for first goal of the season.
"I just knew we needed a goal to bring the momentum back to us," Page said. "I got the opportunity and received a great ball from Paige and saw the opportunity and I am really glad it went in to give us a bigger lead."
Just minutes later in the 83
rd minute, Stern put home her third goal of the season following a turnover in the box to put the finishing touches on the win.
Grambling scored in the final minute on a header from Sidney Johnson to make the final score 4-2.
NSU had 21 shots on the game, led by Baumgartner's five.
The Demons now set their sights on SLC play, as they host Lamar on Sept. 24 to begin league action.
