TAHLEQUAH -- Payton Lieb gave the RiverHawks at 2-0 weekend with a game-winning goal in the 63rd minute to surge past Northwest Missouri State 2-1 Sunday afternoon. 

The two wins give the RiverHawks (6-5-3, 3-3-1 MIAA) a critical six points in the MIAA standings will leave the weekend with ten tied with Washburn for sixth place.  With four regular-season matches remaining, NSU is above the cut line for the MIAA Tournament, which takes the top-8 teams.

All the scoring took place in the final 35 minutes, with Northwest (8-5-1, 4-2-1 MIAA) striking first in the 56th minute.  The Bearcats' lead was very short-lived, and Hannah Stettler kicked one in less than a minute following. 

NSU had the momentum, and Lieb broke through a pair of Northwest defenders and, from five yards out, blasted a shot just right of the goalkeeper to put the RiverHawks ahead in the 63rd minute.  

The goal is the fourth of the season for Lieb and the second game-winner of the season for the junior from Tulsa.   Stettler has now scored a goal in the last three matches and brought her season total to five. 

Callie Rucker was credited with her sixth assist of the season on Stettler's goal.

Brennan Hockett had six saves at goal for NSU.

Northeastern State remains at home to host Nebraska-Kearney this upcoming Friday and then close out homestand with Fort Hays State for Senior Day Sunday.