HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer team will make their final road trip of the regular season this weekend when they face Northwestern State and Central Arkansas.
 
The weekend presents the ultimate test for the SLU defense. Northwestern (36 goals scored) and UCA (38) boast the top to offenses in the conference while the Lions have the number two ranked defense.
 
Southeastern (6-4-4, 3-2-3 in the Southland) will take on NSU Friday night at 7 p.m. in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
 
SLU had a successful weekend at home tying Stephen F. Austin 1-1 and beating Sam Houston 2-0. Southeastern is sixth in the Southland Conference Standings heading into Friday's match, just one point behind fifth place Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
Northwestern (8-8-0, 2-6-0) comes into the match with some momentum after beating A&M-Corpus Christi 3-0 on the road Sunday and lost a tough one to Houston Baptist 1-0 in overtime Friday.
 
"They (NSU) have been playing really well this year," said second year SLU soccer head coach Chris McBride. "Games that haven't gone their way they have been within one goal. At their place towards the end of the season, we know they will be motivated to play us and will play well on Friday night."
 
NSU also comes in with the conference leader in points (32) and goals scored (13), April Trowbridge. The senior from Halifax, Nova Scotia scored two goals in the Lady Demons win over the Islanders.
 
SLU is 22-11-2 all-time against the Lady Demons including a 3-1 win last year at Strawberry Stadium highlighted by goals from junior Amber Marinero and sophomore Lexie Gundersen.
 
After Friday's match, Southeastern will travel five hours north to Conway, Arkansas to take on conference leading UCA Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
The Bears (12-3-1, 7-1-0) have been dominate outscoring opponents 22 to 6 in Southland Conference Matches. Central Arkansas's only loss in conference was to reigning conference champion Lamar Sept. 21 on the road. UCA is boasting a 6-match winning streak and has won 10 out of their last 11.
 
"They (UCA) are very strong," said McBride. "They were good last year and the year before. It's going to be tough playing them on a Sunday because one lapse in concentration and they could be in on goal. It's going to take another solid defensive performance for us to slow them down."
 
The Lady Lions have had their way historically with the Sugar Bears leading the all-time series 10-3. However, UCA has won the last two matches including 3-2 in 2016 and 1-0 at Strawberry Stadium last year.
 
Links for live stats and video are available for Sunday's matches on the women's soccer schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
SCORE ONE MORE CLUB/S CLUB
 
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the women's soccer program are encouraged to join the Score One More Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to Score One More Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern soccer program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Soccer, follow @SLUSoccer and @chrismcbride88 on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
- www.LionSports.net -
 
 
Southland Conference Standings (As of Oct. 18)
 
                                    SLC    Overall            Points
 
1. Central Arkansas         7-1-0    12-3-1               21
2. Houston Baptist            6-1-1    8-6-1               19
3. Lamar                          5-1-2    9-4-2               17
4. McNeese                     5-2-1    11-5-1              16
5. Abilene Christian          4-3-1    9-5-1                13
6. Southeastern La.         3-2-3    6-4-4                12
7. TAMU-CC                    2-4-2    5-6-3                8
8. Sam Houston              2-4-2    3-9-3                 8
9. Incarnate Word            2-5-1    2-10-1              7
10. Stephen F. Austin      1-4-3    3-7-3                6
11. NSU                          2-6-0    8-8-0                6
12. Nicholls                     1-7-0    3-12-0              3