Oct. 18, 2009

Box Score

THIBODAUX - Senior forward Alicia Gautreau notched her fourth goal of the season and redshirt sophomore Molly Mersereau posted her sixth match of the year with double digit saves as the Nicholls State University women's soccer team (4-11-1, 0-4-1 Southland Conference) snapped a streak of five straight losses overall and 16 consecutive losses in conference play by battling the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners (9-7-1, 4-1-1 Southland) to a 1-1 tie on Sunday afternoon.

The Colonels entered the contest looking for their first win since a 6-0 triumph over Alcorn State on on Sept. 29 that tied the school single season wins record (achieved twice before in 2003 and 2006).

The Nicholls defense started strong by forcing UTSA's first four shots off target. Meanwhile, the Colonel offense struck first as sophomore midfielder Sam Etherington drilled a shot off the crossbar from just outside the box. Gautreau gathered the rebound and drove home her fourth goal of the year to stake Nicholls to a 1-0 lead 10:25 into the opening half.

The Roadrunners stepped up their attack on offense, firing off ten more first half shots. Fortunately, the Colonel defense forced six shots off target and Mersereau made four saves to keep the Roadrunners off the board and send the match into halftime with Nicholls up 1-0.

After the break, UTSA tried to mount more offensive pressure, firing 20 shots in the second half. However, Mersereau remained stellar in net with seven more second half saves and the Colonel defense forced 12 more off target.

Unfortunately, the Roadrunners were finally able to capitalize in the 73rd minute as Taylor Padia gathered a loose ball off a corner and found the net to tie the match at 1-1.

Neither side could break through in the final 17 minutes and the Colonels' headed to their second overtime match of the season.

The Roadrunners controlled action in overtime, but the Nicholls defense finished strong. UTSA had one corner kick in the first extra session and three more in the second. Meanwhile, the Roadrunners outshot Nicholls 3-0 in overtime.

However, Mersereau and the Colonel defense turned away several Roadrunner attacks in dramatic fashion to preserve the 1-1 tie.

With the tie, Nicholls picked up their first points in conference play since a 4-1 win over Lamar on Oct. 21, 2007.

Nicholls will now hit the road to take on Northwestern State on Friday and Central Arkansas on Sunday in their final road trip of the regular season.

The Colonels will return home to wrap up the 2009 season by hosting Lamar on Oct. 30 and McNeese State on Nov. 1.