HOUSTON – HBU women's soccer took the regular season finale to overtime but ultimately fell to regular season champion Northwestern State 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon at Campbell Road Sports Park.
In the first half, Northwestern State (10-4-2, 10-1 SLC) held the possession advantage and attempted 13 shots in the period to just one for HBU (4-13-1, 4-8 SLC). Despite the 13 attempts, HBU goalkeeper
Karla Ramirez was only required to make three saves in the period. HBU's lone shot came off a cross into the box that found
Xya Balderas but the junior's look at the goal missed high.
The Huskies came out in the second half with
Ryan Ford missing a shot wide right followed by Balderas putting a shot on goal less than a minute later.
Felicia Hernandez has a shot on target stopped by the NSU keeper in the 78
th minute and the Lady Demons didn't have a good look at the goal until the 90
th minute but Ramirez kept the match scoreless in regulation.
The Lady Demons opened the overtime period on the offensive with a pair of shots on goal in the first minute and a half. Samantha Hanking put a shot off the crossbar in the 93
rd minute and NSU earned a corner kick a minute later. The golden goal came off that corner with Olivia Draguicevich scoring from close range with assists by Delaney Wells and Kyle Nolen.
Ramirez ended the match with six saves for the Huskies. HBU had two shots on goal to NSU's seven with the Lady Demons attempting 26 total and the Huskies taking seven. Northwestern State also held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks earned.
The other six teams in the league are scheduled to play Friday while the Huskies await the Southland Conference Tournament, which is set to begin on Wednesday, Nov. 3, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
