CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Jayme Bailey scored the game-winning goal in the 99th minute of the first overtime lifted top-seeded SFA into the Southland Soccer Championship Match as they defeated No. 4 Northwestern State, 1-0, on Thursday afternoon at Dugan Soccer Stadium.

The win sends SFA to their 11th championship match and first since 2018. The Lumberjacks will look to claim their fourth tournament title and first since 2012, as they face the winner of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and East Texas A&M on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

Six days ago, SFA dominated Northwestern State in a winner-take-all regular season title match, rolling to a 5-0 win on their home field and 12th regular season title. This one had quite a different feel.

Northwestern State gave the Jacks some issues early on in the first half, but SFA would get their first real look of the half as Bailey sent a missile toward Libe Banuelos on a free kick in the box. However, Banuelos made the save and kept the game scoreless.

Banuelos was the story all throughout regulation as she continuously came away with big save after big save, keeping the Demons alive and the match within reach.

As the second half rolled, still scoreless, SFA began to take control of possession and create more opportunities, but the NSU defense led by Banuelos kept the Jacks at bay and kept the match even. 

Banuelos stifled a couple of incredible looks from Ava Shannon and the Northwestern State attack began to take life, finding its footing late in the second half.

A handball gave Emily Senatore a look right at the top of the box in the 80th minute, but the SFA defense blocked the attempt. Taylor Spitzer then found a crease in the 88th minute and nearly put the match away, but Sierra McCluer got a hand on it to eventually send the match into extra time.

The Demons got three looks early in the first overtime, with McCluer saving all three before Bailey took a pass from Maddie Bowers, made an incredible move by her defender, and finished high towards the far post for a stunning game-winner to send SFA into jubilation. 

SFA is 3-7 all-time in championship matches, winning the title in 2003, 2007, and 2012.