Aug. 15, 2008

THIBODAUX, La. - With a solid mixture of 12 returning players and 12 newcomers, Coach Cindy Piper's squad will have both youth and depth as they hit the pitch in 2008. The returners, all of whom gained valuable experience last season, will help in all aspects of the game as many of them saw time at multiple positions in 2007.

"While we are going to be very young, we are going to have depth," said Piper. "And that can only help us as the season goes on. Our training sessions will be more competitive, which allows use to be more match-ready."

Coach Piper expects to see competition for starting roles as the season progresses, but is ready to count on several upperclassmen for leadership on and off the field.

"Kat Peters is our lone senior," Piper noted. "She will be asked to help in all aspects of the game, whether she is in the back, the midfield or up top. She has the ability to excel in each position. I also look to Alicia Gautreau, Caitlyn Donegan and our team captain, Jessica Bedford, to step up and lead this team in the right direction."

Of the incoming players, ten freshmen and two transfers, nearly all are expected to play important roles for the Colonels.

"Our newcomers will be depended on heavily and can compete for starting roles early," added Piper. "They give us multiple options at each position and allow our upperclassmen the chance to lead."

Defense

With Allison Flynn serving as the only true starter returning from 2007, Piper is counting on a few players who saw limited, but promising playing time. Peters and Donegan, along with Tara Walsh, Lauren Collins and Allison Mylius had impressive spring seasons and showed signs of improvement in the backfield.

"Toward the end of last season, Collins and Mylius really started to improve," noted Piper, "and we look for them to continue to grow this season."

The key for newcomers on defense will be gaining confidence early on in the season to give the coaching staff the ability to move players around. Keisha Brown, Alana DeHart and Michaela Gaudin should all see significant time in the back for the Colonels.

"Brown is a physical kid who should anchor our central defensive spot," Piper said, "and DeHart and Gaudin will be asked to step in and help right away. Carolyn Noble and Lauren Uffelman may also see some time at this position as well."

Midfield

Perhaps the strongest group for Nicholls is the midfield, with Caitlyn Donegan, Jessica Bedford and Gillian McCarter all returning as starters, as well as Walsh and Kaity Mattsson coming back after seeing time in the midfield in 2007.

"Our midfielders set the tempo of our game," Piper claimed, "so having three returning starters is significant. These players will be asked to be our most phyical and our most disciplined. We have added a strong group of incoming kids who could all see time here."

Freshmen Katie Peterson, Erika Baker, Kacey Amedee, Carolyn Noble and Samantha Etherington, along with transfers Jasmine Elsayed and Lauren Uffelman will all compete for time in the midfield. Etherington and Uffelman are experienced players who should be key players for the Colonels as they help control the game and involve all players on the pitch.

Forward

Returning starters Kaity Mattsson and Alicia Gautreau lead the top of the field for Nicholls. Combining for seven goals and four assists last season, the duo will provide the experience the Colonels need in 2008. Kat Peters will also see time at the forward position, adding a third experienced striker to Piper's lineup.

Redshirt freshman Kandice Champagne will also see time up top, giving the Colonels a different dynamic.

"Both Mattsson and Gautreau will be asked to step up and produce early for us," said Piper. "Champagne, a much-improved, smart player, will be on the field for the first time in a Colonel uniform and we're excited to see what she can bring to the game."

In Goal

Molly Mersereau heads back in the net for the Colonels in 2008 after a solid freshman campaign. She will work with newcomers Sarah Damen and Lana Ashford, who will also compete for time on the back line.

"Mersereau had a good freshman campaign and we look for her to step up and be a solid enforcer as a sophomore," Piper surmised. "She is an athletic, tough keeper with valuable experience. All three of our keepers have different strengths and weaknesses, which should intensify our training sessions as they push each other to improve."

Schedule

A challenging slate awaits the Colonels in 2008 as they face two SEC schools and two Sun Belt squads in non-conference competition.

"We look to get a solid rotation of players through during non-conference matches," said Piper, "with the goal of making a run in the Southland Conference."

In September, the Colonels will host the Nicholls Select Gear Shootout, facing Mississippi State on Friday, and Jackson State in the Sunday game.

"We're so excited about our tournament (Nicholls Select Gear Shootout)," Piper noted. "We hope for a good crowd, especially with an SEC school coming to play on our field. And that game will help our team out as we prepare for SLC play. If we can play well against a team like Mississippi State, then we should be able to compete in our league."

Nicholls will host five league games at the Colonel Soccer Complex and will take to the road four times in conference.

"Southland Conference play is the toughest part of our schedule," Piper added. "The league has gotten more and more competitive through the years and there are no longer weak teams. On any given day, top to bottom teams can beat each other, so we have to come and play every day."

The Colonels will host an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday at 10:30 at the Nicholls Soccer Field to prepare for the opening match of the 2008 season (Friday, Aug. 22 @ Southern).

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