Nov. 1, 2009

THIBODAUX - The Colonel defense held strong, but one unlucky bounce would prove to do in the Nicholls State University women's soccer team (4-15-1, 0-8-1 Southland Conference) as the Colonels dropped a 1-0 defensive struggle to the McNeese State Cowgirls (8-9-2, 4-4-0 Southland) in the regular season finale for both teams.

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Molly Mersereau recorded her seventh match of the season with double-digit saves with a ten save effort. Meanwhile, the Colonel defense forced nine other Cowgirl shots off target to help the cause.

Both defenses highlighted the first half as neither side could muster an attack. The Cowgirls outshot the Colonels 10-6 in the opening frame and Nicholls notched the only corner kick of the afternoon in the first.

Nicholls tried to take advantage of seven first half Cowgirl fouls as sophomore Sam Etherington provided the Colonels with several opportunities on free kicks.

Unfortunately, for the Colonels, the McNeese defense also stayed strong. Cassandra Reed made two of her three saves in the first half and the rest of the Colonels' six first half shots were forced off target as the two teams entered halftime in a scoreless tie.

It stayed a defensive struggle early on in the second half, however the Cowgirls got a lucky bounce in the 57th minute as Jana Barrow served a cross from the top of the box that deflected off another McNeese player to a wide open Audrey LaLanne. LaLanne found herself alone in the box and was able to beat Mersereau one-on-one to stake the Cowgirls to a 1-0 lead.

The Colonels tried to rally as once again, Etherington's free kicks throughout the match provided the best opportunites. However, Nicholls was unable to capitalize on any of the ten second half Cowgirl fouls and McNeese held on for the 1-0 win.

Prior to the start of the contest, Nicholls celebrated Senior Day by honoring forward Alicia Gautreau, midfielder Jessica Bedford and defenders Lauren Uffelman and Tara Walsh.

The loss wraps up an historic 2009 campaign for the Colonels. In head coach Dylan Harrison first year on the job, Nicholls' overall wins total tied the school's regular season wins record (reached twice before in 2003 and 2006) and the Colonels snapped a 16-match losing streak in conference play that dated back to 2007 with a tie with Texas-San Antonio on Oct. 18.

Meanwhile, several individual records fell as junior forward Kaity Mattsson set new school standards for career goals (21) and career points (44). Sophomore midfielder Carolyn Noble tied the school single season assists record (7), and Gautreau finished her career second on the school's all-time points (41) and assists (11) list.