Northwestern State’s historic soccer season comes to a close in opening round of NCAA Tournament

by Aaron Ferguson

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Northwestern State soccer team’s postseason run ended on Friday in the opening round of the 40th NCAA Division I Soccer Tournament.

Facing off against one of the most lethal offensive lineups in the country, the Lady Demons (12-6-2, 10-2 SLC) could not find an answer, falling 5-1 against the Razorbacks (17-4, 9-1 SEC).

Arkansas set the tone early on and never looked back, finding the net in just the third minute. A cross off the left wing was sent in off the calf of Arkansas’ Taylor Malham, giving the Razorbacks an early lead.

“The first goal was unfortunate, hitting the kid in the calf and falling in the corner,” Southland Coach of the Year Stuart Gore said. “…it was so unfortunate that it happened so early – I think it just shellshocked us. And it kicked Arkansas into gear and set the tempo for them.

“But I thought our team approached themselves really well in the way they played and kept going against a very resilient Arkansas team that didn’t take their foot off the pedal for even one second.”

The Razorbacks ultimately owned the first half against NSU, finding the net three more times before half and offering little in the way of opportunities for the Lady Demons to do likewise.

NSU was able to find respite in the 53rd minute, after a momentum shift found senior defender Nicole Henry pushing up the right wing and offering up a cross to twin forward Natalee Henry. Natalee Henry made good on her sister’s setup, sending a header past Arkansas keeper Hannah Warner, finding the back of the net and avoiding the shutout.

Natalee Henry’s goal marked NSU’s first score in its four trips to the NCAA Tournament.

“I just saw a really good ball coming in from Nicole, and just had to get my head on it and score,” Henry said.

Arkansas capped the evening in the 70th minute with a goal inside the box from freshman forward Van Fitch, sealing a five-goal night for the Razorbacks from five separate players.

Senior goalkeeper Acelya Aydogmus explained how, despite the result, this moment was special for her and her team.

“For me, in my first year at Troy we played Florida State and Alabama,” Aydogmus said. “But those were in the preseason and not on a stage like this, so, there’s nothing that can match this.

“I know we fought and worked really hard all season – from the regular season, through the conference tournament to here,” Aydogmus said. “I know this whole team really appreciated this moment and are going to (hold onto it) for the rest of our lives.”

Reflecting on the Lady Demons’ historic campaign, Gore praised his team’s adaptability throughout various points in the season and how it played as a strength to his squad.

“It’s always difficult when you get a new coach, let alone three weeks before the preseason,” Gore said. “Them having to buy in, then (developing communication between each other), and to go into nonconference where we had two ties and didn’t win a game, and to not get down on that.

“Then for them to find the resilience to kick on and have the tremendous conference season that we had and win the conference title says a lot.”

Natalee Henry echoed her coach’s sentiments:

“It’s just been a long journey from freshman year to now, with adjusting to new coaches and I think the team did a really good job of adjusting to everything we’ve gone through.”