SHREVEPORT, LA: The Texas Wesleyan University women's soccer team (1-1) suffered a 6-0 loss at the hands of NCAA Division I Southland Conference member Northwestern State University (3-2) at Cargill Park on Sunday.
The Rams kept things close in the first half. Camila Ardila scored off an assist from Esdeina Gonzalez in the 16th minute. An own goal in the 23rd minute made it 2-0 and the score remained the same at the intermission.
The Demons overwhelmed the Rams in the second half mounting a 28-6 shot count. In the 50th minute a shot from April Towbridge ricocheted in the box and resulted in a second straight own goal. That sparked a flurry of three goals in just over six minutes that put the game out of reach at 5-0. NSU's Brittany Caserma capped the scoring at 6-0 with a strike in the 86th minute.
Nikki Lockwood (1-1) came up with nine saves, but 16 shots on goal were too much to overcome. Alex Latham (3-2) needed three saves to preserve the shutout.
The game held special significance for Head Coach
Josh Gibbs as he took on his mentor in NSU Head Coach George Van Linder for the first time. Van Linder hired Gibbs as an assistant coach at Baylor University prior to his reunion at Texas Wesleyan. Gibbs has since gone on to become the winningest coach in the history of the Texas Wesleyan Women's Soccer program.
"I didn't have the team ready to play against such a quality opponent," Gibbs said following the contest. "I have to do a better job in preparation. We were just out played in every aspect of the game today. Hat's off to George. He has a great team."
The game was the second straight win for NSU, coming on the heels of a 3-0 victory over Jackson State, and their third shutout of the season as they also own a 2-0 win over UALR.
The Lady Rams will return to action on Friday, September 9, when they travel to San Antonio, TX, to take on St. Thomas-Florida in a neutral site contest at Our Lady of the Lake University. The following day, the Rams will play the 21st ranked Saints.
Ramblings
- This was the first ever meeting between Texas Wesleyan and Northwestern State on the Soccer pitch.
- The Rams are 1-4 all-time against Our Lady of the Lake with the Saints having won each of the last three meetings.
