No. 1 Northwestern State Claims Southland Tournament Title Over No. 3 UIW on Faith Adams’ Winner
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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The first career goal for Northwestern State freshman Faith Adams could not have come at a better time and a bigger stage than the title conference tournament, securing the top-seeded Lady Demons’ fifth Southland Conference tournament title with a 1-0 win over No. 3 UIW on Sunday afternoon.
After entering the match just five minutes before she found the back of the net, Adams found herself on the end of a perfect cross from Olivia Draguicevich in the middle of the box. Adams knocked it in to the right side of the goal for the game-winner.
The goal sparked a run of chances for NSU, including a header from Kalee Williams that ricocheted off the post and a point-blank shot for Jalen Donaldson that just sailed over the bar. However, Adams’ goal was all the Lady Demons needed.
The Cardinals looked the better team in the opening half, dominating possession and tallying three shots on goal, but none too difficult for back-to-back Goalkeeper of the Year Acelya Aydogmus. She finished the match with seven saves on her way to her 27
th career shutout and tournament MVP honors.
Aydogmus finished with 12 saves and two clean sheets at the tournament.
Claiming their fifth Southland tournament title, the Lady Demons are now tied with Texas State and Southeastern with the most all-time.
With NSU recording the shutout, it marked the first time since 2007 that every match of the Southland Soccer Tournament saw a clean sheet.
The Lady Demons will learn who their NCAA Tournament opponent will be on the Division I NCAA women's soccer selection show, which will take place on Monday, Nov. 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The selection show can be streamed live here on
NCAA.com.
2021 Southland Soccer All-Tournament Team
Acelya Aydogmus, Northwestern State (MVP)
Nicole Henry, Northwestern State
Olivia Draguicevich, Northwestern State
Delaney Wells, Northwestern State
Eve Clarkson, UIW
Sierra Wannamaker, UIW
Isabella Beletic, UIW
Keely Morrow, McNeese
Anna Watson, McNeese
Darby Gillette, Southeastern
Jamie Raines, Southeastern