TAHLEQUAH -- Sydney Taylor landed her 18th career goal and her first of the 2025 season to lead Northeastern State to a victory in their opener against Ouachita Baptist Friday night.

The match saw continued aggression from the RiverHawks (1-0). Despite being shut out in the opening half, they out-shot the Tigers (0-1) in the first 45 minutes of play with 13 tries to OBU's three. It would be in the 48th minute shortly after intermission where Taylor would strike, landing off an assist from Olivia Burnes. Rebecca Partyka would get in front of both on-goal tries from OBU to preserve the shutout.

On the night, the RiverHawks recorded six times as many attempts (18-3) as the opposition. Burnes and Brynn Baldon each logged two shots on-goal in the win, while the team earned nine corner kick opportunities against OBU's two.

With the victory, NSU keeps their unbeaten mark at home in the all-time series against Ouachita Baptist, while it also is the third season-opening win for the RiverHawks against the Tigers in the last four seasons.

Northeastern State begins a four-match road trip on Sunday, facing Harding in Searcy, Ark. at 2 p.m.