HUNTSVILLE — The Sam Houston soccer team pushed Northwestern State to the limit in the season opener Friday but a second-half goal proved to be the difference in a 1-0 loss at Pritchett Field.
 
The Lady Demons (3-0, 1-0 in SLC) scored in the 80^th minute when Delaney Wells was able to sneak a toe poke past Bearkat goal keeper Tatum Krueger following a scramble.
 
Sam Houston (0-1) took nine shots, four of which were on goal with three coming in the first half. Freshman Landri Townsend had a chance to get the Bearkats on the board early in the first half when she sent a shot to the bottom left of the net, but Northwestern State goalie Acelya Aydogmus was able to save it.
 
Senior Courtney Pawlik, junior Ashley Friedrichs and Townsend accounted for the Bearkats' other three shots on goal.
 
Krueger was spectacular in the net for Sam Houston. She finished with eight saves while playing all 90 minutes.
 
The Bearkats travel to Southeastern Louisiana for a match on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.