TAHLEQUAH – A big first half behind Julia Mathis' fourth career multi-goal night kept Northeastern State undefeated through their first six matches with a 3-1 win over Southwest Baptist on Friday night.

Mathis has had the Bearcats number in her fourth year in a NSU uniform with seven of her 23 career goals coming against Southwest Baptist, and she has scored at least a goal in the four matchups with SBU.

This is the second straight season that the RiverHawks have opened with six straight wins, and they didn't show any signs of being rusty after having a week off from the field with Mathis kicking the eventual game winner only four minutes into the contest.   She would strike again at the 20-minute mark with her second goal of the evening, on a pass from Paulina Chavez.

Chavez joined the NSU scoring frenzy in the 27th minute by kicking in her fifth goal in only her sixth career match; Sarah Rector picked up the assist in NSU's third goal.

The Bearcats scored the final goal of the night by either team with ten minutes to the intermission.

Northeastern State's offense landed 15 shots on the Bearcats, with eight of those on-goal, one fewer than their season high this season.  Chavez and Mathis combined for eight of NSU's overall attacks with both having three shots on-goal.

The loss to the RiverHawks on Friday night sends Southwest Baptist to 2-4-1, Northeastern State is now 6-0 with the win.

Northeastern State will return to the field on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. to open MIAA play at home Missouri Southern State.