NATCHITOCHES—Just as Dorothy Gale said in the Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home."

After a month of games away from Natchitoches, the Northwestern State (0-5) soccer team aims to find its footing in the regular season home opener against Louisiana Tech (2-3-1) on Sunday at the Demon Soccer Complex.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

"We had the one preseason match at home, and I think it gave our players a taste and I think they are really excited to have a real, actual game at home," head coach Ian Brophy said. "The energy is going to be second to none for that one. They are really excited. I hope everybody comes out and supports us. The team is hungry for it, and it will be an exciting match."

Despite being about an hour and a half away, this is the first meeting since 2022, a 4-1 Demons victory in Ruston. Riley Stern, who redshirted that season due to injury, is the lone player on NSU's roster who was on that 2022 team.

Playing in front of the home crowd might just be what the doctor ordered, as the Demons are 18-3-4 under Brophy at home, including going 7-0-2 in 2025, their first unbeaten home season in 20 years.

Overall, the Demons are on an 11-game unbeaten streak at home, dating back to the middle of the 2024 season.

Bonnie Miller, a transfer from Lubbock Christian, is eager to go onto the field and see how home games at NSU feel.

"I am really excited to see what home games are like here at NSU," Bonnie Miller said. "I am just so excited and ready to see what it's like."

During the Brophy era, the Demons are 1-1-1 in home openers, including a 3-1 victory over Alcorn State last season.

This year, NSU is coming off a road game against Alcorn State in which it easily had the most shots (15) and corner kicks (10) in a game this season.

In the game, Paige Baumgartner connected on her first goal of the season and 12th career goal with the Demons on an assist from Miller, her first career Division I point.

"Us scoring in each of the last two games will boost morale," Iesha Rollins said. "Scoring one, especially early, will help us find it within to go score more, and when we do, the goals will come in bunches."

The Bulldogs are no stranger to playing Southland opponents this season, as this is the seventh straight contest against an SLC opponent to begin the season.

After dropping two, the team bounced back with wins over Houston Christian and Stephen F. Austin before falling last time out at home against McNeese.

Tech has been road warriors this season, winning both contests away from home despite being 0-3-1 in front of the home crowd.

Three players have scored goals for the Bulldogs this season, led by Madison Pensom's three. Abby Hanton has dished out three assists, the only player to have recorded multiple helpers for the team.

"They are going to be a tough test for us," Brophy said. "It will be a tough match for us and a good test of where we're at. We want to make sure when we're playing against teams from the state of Louisiana, we give a little bit extra, and we go on and win the game. They are going to show up hungry and ready to compete and we need to do the same and defend home turf."

Whoever is unable to attend can watch the game on ESPN+ with Adam Hester and Angelina Lee on the call.

The Demons wrap up the quick two-game home stand on Thursday, as NSU is honoring its seniors on Senior Night against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.