NORTHWESTERN STATE 1, SAM HOUSTON 0   HUNTSVILLE -- Melanie Johnson right-footed in a shot from six yards out off a long through pass by Marissa Lees to score the only goal as Northwestern State shut out Sam Houston State 1-0 in the final regular Southland Conference women's soccer match of the 2009 season for both teams Sunday at Pritchett Field.  

Demon goalkeeper Lindy Strahan earned the shutout making six saves on Sam Houston State's 16 shots.   Shelby Grissett and Leah Snelson led the Bearkat attack with six shots apiece.  

The victory lifts Northwestern State's record to 11-9 for the season and 4-5 in Southland Conference play. Sam Houston falls to 8-9-2 for the year and 5-4 in league matches.  

Sam Houston clinched a berth as one of the six teams in the Southland Conference post-season tournament Friday night with its 4-2 victory over Central Arkansas. The Kats are going to the tournament for the third time in the soccer program's seven years.  

"Obviously, it's disappointing to lose your final home game, but we're in the tournament and that's the important thing," Sam Houston State head coach Tom Brown said.

Sam Houston will be the No. 4 seed, the Bearkats' highest Southland ranking ever. No. 5 UTSA and Sam Houston will battle in the first round at 7 p.m. Thursday night in Natchitoches, LA

The complete Southland Conference Post-Season Tournament draw:

 First Round - Thursday, Nov. 5
4:30 p.m. - #3 Stephen F. Austin vs. #6 McNeese
7 p.m. - #4 Sam Houston vs. #5 UTS A  

 Semifinals - Friday, Nov. 6
4:30 p.m. - SFA-McNeese winner vs. #2 Southeastern LA
7 p.m. - SHSU-UTSA winner vs. #1 Texas State  

Finals - Sunday, Nov. 8 1 p.m. - Semifinal winners

The finals will be play Sunday afternoon and will be televised regionally by the Southland TV network. First round and semi-final matches will be streamed on www.southland.org on Southland Now.  

The winner of the post-season tournament receives the Southland's NCAA tournament bid.