TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State's offense served as aggressors for a majority of Sunday afternoon's contest against Northwest Missouri, but a converted penalty kick late lifted the Bearcats to a 1-0 decision from DeLoache Field.

The RiverHawks (5-2-1, 0-1-1 MIAA) pushed the opposing defense quickly to start, accounting for 11 of 12 shots recorded in the opening half. However, the scoreboard remained empty going to intermission.

The Bearcats (4-2, 1-0 MIAA) mustered six attempts in the final frame, striking true on a penalty kick in the 79th minute. NSU would still out-shoot Northwest Missouri in the second half (7-6), but all eight of their on-goal attempts were saved by the Northwest defense.

The loss marks just their second across their last 14 home matches, while their shot total (17) is the most when being shut out since 2023. Additionally, the RiverHawks owned 11 of 12 corner kick opportunities in the match, their most corner kicks in a loss since 2008.

Four different individuals had multiple attempts from NSU's starting eleven, with Sydney Taylor (six) leading the team in shots. Rebecca Partyka had three saves in the loss.

The RiverHawks begin a brief road trip next week, facing Missouri Southern in Joplin on Friday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.