Lady Demons open Southland Conference play with 3-0 road win over McNeese State

NATCHITOCHES - Northwestern State finally received some scoring from its veterans, as junior Erin Hebert scored a goal and sophomore Lauren Miller added two, in its 3-0 win at McNeese State in the Southland Conference opener for both teams Wednesday evening. Northwestern (6-5-1 overall, 1-0 in the SLC) will play at conference newcomer Central Arkansas on Sunday. McNeese State (4-3, 0-1) will play at Nicholls State on Sunday. "We were able to get some scoring from our veterans tonight," said head coach Jimmy Mitchell. "They outshot us 15-7 for the game, but we took advantage of our scoring opportunities." Hebert opened the scoring with a goal off of a corner kick in the 36th minute that bounced around within the box before the junior midfielder was able to put it in the back of the net. In the second half, Miller added Northwesterns second goal in the 59th minute and finished the scoring with her second goal in the 89th minute off an Hebert assist. Heberts goal and assist give her three goals and three assists for the season and a total of nine points for the team lead. Millers two goals give her a team-leading four on the season. "It was good to see Erin and Lauren get on the board tonight," said Mitchell. "Were excited to open Southland Conference play with a win on the road in a tough place to play." Junior Krystle Donaldson had five saves for the game, giving her 279 consecutive scoreless minutes in goal and her second shutout. She now has 30 saves for the season in seven games with just one goal allowed. Donaldson was named the Southland Conference and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Goalkeeper of the Week this past week for her stout play minding the nets for the Lady Demons. "Krystle made one huge save when we were up 2-0 that could have swung momentum in the game," said Mitchell. "She is just so solid; she doesnt make mistakes that give up goals." The next game for the Lady Demons is Sunday afternoon at 1 oclock at Central Arkansas. The next home game for Northwestern is Oct. 6, against Sam Houston State at the Demon Soccer Complex.