TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Northwest Mo. St. (4-2-0, 1-0-0) secured a 1-0 victory against Northeastern St. (5-2-1, 0-1-1) on Sunday afternoon at DeLoache Field. 
 
This win marked Northwest's fourth straight triumph over NSU and the first conference win of the season. Northwest's goalkeeper Lily Ellis recorded eight saves to preserve the shutout, while the lone goal came in the second half from Emma Cook, scoring her first career goal as a Bearcat.
 
The first half commenced with both teams vying for control, but it was the Bearcats that showcased resilience in defense. Ellis played a pivotal role, making key saves against Northeastern's offensive attempts, including efforts from Sydney Taylor and Brynn Baldon. Despite the RiverHawks' frequent corner kicks and shots, Ellis' performance kept the game scoreless and contributed to her 30th career shutout.
 
Northwest managed to break through with their own offensive push as Margaret Madden registered a shot early in the half, although it went wide. As the first half concluded, the score remained 0-0, with the Bearcats holding firm against Northeastern's advances.
 
The second half began with a shift in momentum as the Bearcats' defense, led by goalkeeper Ellis, successfully repelled multiple scoring attempts by the RiverHawks. Ellis made critical saves in the 48th and 61st minutes, maintaining the clean sheet and denying the home side an opportunity to score.
 
Northwest capitalized on a crucial opportunity in the 78th minute when Cook converted a penalty kick giving Northwest a 1-0 lead, which they held onto through strategic defensive plays until the end of the match. The half concluded with Northwest ahead, ensuring a narrow but significant victory.
 
Up Next: 
The Bearcats will be back in action next week for back-to-back matches in Maryville against the University of Central Oklahoma on Friday, Oct. 3, and then will face off with Newman University on Sunday, Oct. 5.