RUSTON – After conceding three first half goals, the Louisiana Tech women's soccer team was able to get to within one but could not find the equalizer in the second half as they fell to Northwestern State, 3-2, on a hot Sunday afternoon at the Lady Techster Soccer Complex.
 
LA Tech (1-1-0) got behind early for the second straight game, allowing a goal four minutes in.  They equalized later on in the first period, but NSU (1-1-0) struck for two more goals before halftime that proved to be enough.
 
"We were on a high from Friday and today we were lethargic," head coach Kevin Sherry said.  "Northwestern State had more intensity and were picking up loose balls.  They really challenged us when we were letting the ball loose.  At the end of the day, they had more possession, combined with their No. 10, we could not hold."
 
The Lady Demons took advantage of a handball by Gabrielle Parent that came right outside of the 18.  Kylee Dominy took the free kick and snuck it past Courtney Tompkins to put the visitors on the scoreboard first.
 
The Lady Techsters were unable to generate much offensive in their final third, that was until the 29th minute when Jaelyn Peeples.
 
The senior sent a free kick to the far post that was headed back into the six by Elizabeth Doll.  Alexandra Augustyn timed it perfectly and punched in the chest volley for her first career goal to knot things up.
 
The match was only tied up for seven minutes as the Lady Demons retook the lead, 2-1, when Dominy crossed a long ball to April Trowbridge who had a one-touch chip over Tompkins who came off her line.
 
NSU tacked on another first period goal, another from Trowbridge, who finished it into the lower right corner after gaining control off the pass from Jalen Donaldson. 
 
The advantage quickly flipped into LA Tech's favor when they sliced the deficit in half just one minute into the second period.  Peeples delivered a strong free kick to the top of the six where Gabrielle Parent timed it up for a one-touch score into the right corner for her first career goal. 
 
With new goalkeeper Carlotta Cartelli keeping NSU off the scoreboard for the entire second period, LA Tech was able to generate a couple of high-quality scoring opportunities the rest of the way but could not find another equalizer. 
 
LA Tech had a 12-10 shot advantage over NSU, but only five came on goal.  Kaylee Zettler led the way with three shot attempts. 
 
Each team recorded three total saves.  Tompkins finished with one save while Cartelli registered two.
 
The Lady Techsters return to action on Friday night versus Incarnate Word.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Lady Techster Soccer Complex.
 
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