JOURNAL SPORTS
AUSTIN, Texas — The game could not have started much better for Northwestern State. And it ended in spectacular fashion, as the Demons soccer team scored its first-ever victory over a ranked opponent with a season-opening 3-2 upset at No. 19 Texas on Thursday evening at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Emily Senatore found the back of the net twice, including what turned out to be the game-winner, and Hosane Soukou scored a goal in her first career game, leading NSU (1-0) to its most monumental triumph in 28 years of program history against the preseason No. 2 in the SEC.
“All credit goes to the girls,” third-year head coach Ian Brophy said. “They executed really well and played for each other. I am really proud of them.”
The visitors scored quickly, when Senatore knocked in an unassisted goal in the fifth minute on the Demons’ first shot of the game, shortly after a corner kick. The 19th-ranked hosts responded with two goals to take a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Texas controlled the final 40 minutes of the half, outshooting NSU 16-2.
While the offense was trying to break through against the Texas defense, Rist was a brick wall in net.
Overall, Rist made 13 saves, tied for the eighth-most saves in a game in program history.
“She kept us in the game,” Brophy said. “I knew that if we didn’t allow another goal, the chances were there for us to score against them.”
After playing 13 of the 45 minutes in the first half, freshman Hosane Soukou started the second half and delivered the decisive goals..
In the 61st minute, she tied it on a lead feed from Riley Stern. Soukou had a clear look at the net and put it home, just over a minute after having another shot stopped.
Shortly after another corner kick, Senatore shot one through traffic and past UT goalkeeper Mateya Dessieux for her second goal in the 72nd minute.
“Those were two unreal goals by Emily,” Brophy said. “She can score from anywhere. She is one of the best scoring midfielders in the conference and maybe the entire country. Defensively, she was outstanding as well. It was the best game I have ever seen from her.”
While Senatore and Soukou gave the visitors the advantage, Rist closed the door on the Longhorns. The redshirt junior made three saves in the final 17 minutes, including one in the box where she challenged a Texas player and stopped it to keep NSU in front.
Texas frantically tried to come back, attempting seven shots in the final 16:07, but Rist and the defense finished off the upset.
The Longhorns outshot the Demons 25-7, including 16-7 on frame. NSU showed depth, as 19 players saw game action with 17 playing at least 18 minutes.
The Demons aim for another shocker when they travel to SMU on Sunday.