SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Northwestern State's offense has come in bursts at times this season, and the Lady Demons got a much-needed burst in the second half Friday.
Junior forward
Brittany Caserma scored two goals in a three-minute stretch to lift NSU to a 2-1 win at Incarnate Word.
In the 73rd minute, Caserma placed a shot from inside the box over charging UIW goalkeeper Sydney Huntsinger to tie the score 1-1 for the Lady Demons (5-6, 1-3 Southland Conference).
Less than three minutes later, Caserma muscled a header in from close range off a
Jasmine Juarez corner kick for the final tally.
"Jasmine played a great ball, a ball that barely made it past the first girl on the near post and right to my head," Caserma said. "I just had to touch it in.
"We were pumped after the first goal because we were back in the game. The intensity was there in the second half as we were fighting, scrapping and clawing to win balls. We had to come out and get this win after starting with three losses (in conference play)."
Caserma produced her second multi-goal game this season after three goals against LSU Shreveport and the fourth of her career.
The assist is Juarez's first of the season, adding to her two goals.
The win is NSU's first in conference play after dropping the opening three matches by a combined four goals.
The Lady Demons had to overcome an early UIW goal when Brooke Hanson beat a charging
Alex Latham in a one-on-one situation. Ana Campa assisted on the 10
th minute goal.
"We were all disappointed with our first-half performance, and we had an inspirational team talk at halftime," said NSU coach
George Van Linder. "I'm so proud of the fight our players showed.
"We had to refocus at halftime. This is a very difficult place to win, so it's great to come in here and grab a win."
The victory is NSU's first in San Antonio after going 0-1-1 in the first two meetings. NSU moves to 3-1-1 all-time against the Cardinals.
The Lady Demons now head to Abilene Christian on Sunday for a 1 p.m. game.
