NATCHITOCHES, La. – Northwestern State scored in the fourth minute and added a second-half goal to knock off the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's soccer team 2-0 in the season finale for both teams. The Islanders finished their second season as a program with a 4-9-3 record and a 3-7-1 mark in Southland Conference action.
Alex Latham made nine saves to post a shutout for the Lady Demons, who finished the season winning three of their last four contests. Megan Delaney made two saves in a losing effort for the Islanders.
"Today's game is hard to put into words," head coach Shanna Caldwell said. "It was a very physical game and it was hard to keep our rhythm. I think we got caught up in things that we have no control over instead of finding ways to play to our feet.
"We faced some unfortunate calls," she added, "including a play that looked like we scored. But that's the way it goes sometimes. Regardless, I'm proud of the way we played all season and I know the future is bright for our program."
The Lady Demons struck first in the fourth minute, as a long ball up the right side found its way past the Islanders defense and onto the foot of Yanci Johnson. Johnson moved in alone on Delaney, and sent a shot low to the left corner to make it 1-0 in favor of the home squad at 3:38.
A&M-Corpus Christi carried most of the possession for the remainder of the half, but the majority of their chances were limited to shots from distance. The Islanders' best chance came on a wild scramble in the 27th, but Latham denied Aulona Velaj to keep the visitors off the scoreboard. Each team had seven shots in the period, with four of the Islanders' attempts finding their way on frame.
After the break, NSU came out strong, and doubled its lead in the 56th minute. The Lady Demons got possession on a free kick from 40 yards away and sent a ball into the box. After a couple redirections, it found its way to the foot of Nikki Saunders. Saunders worked loose and sent a shot past Delaney to push the lead to 2-0 at 55:06.
The Islanders had a handful of opportunities over the game's final 35 minutes, but Latham and a friendly crossbar kept the visitors off the board. Jacey Love unleashed a tremendous shot in the 82nd only to see it glance off the bar. In the 88th, Alyssa Miller tried to chip one over the keeper, but Latham leaped and made the stop to maintain the shutout.
The Islanders wrap up their second season as a program with an overall record of 4-9-3 and a Southland Conference mark of 3-7-1. For all the latest on the team in the offseason, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@IslandersSoccer) and like the team's official Facebook page (Islanders Soccer).
