Aug. 28, 2009

Box Score

THIBODAUX - Junior forward Kaity Mattsson got the Colonels out in front early and redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Molly Merserau kept it that way late, as the Nicholls State University women's soccer team (1-1-0) got back to the .500 mark with a 2-0 win over Southern (0-2-0) at the Nicholls State soccer complex on Friday afternoon.

Five days after being shut out at Southern Miss in the season opener, the Colonels got back on track as Mattsson tallied the first Nicholls goal of the season at the 27:39 mark of the first half.

The Bracebridge, Ontario native broke past a defender in the box to collect a pass from sophomore forward Kandice Champagne before faking out the goaltender and chipping in her first goal of the season to get the Colonels out in front 1-0.

The Colonels kept up the pressure in the first half, out-shooting the Jags 14-6. However, Nicholls could not find the back of the net the rest of the period and went into the half with a 1-0 lead.

Nicholls struck again off in the second half as an own goal on the Jaguars was credited to senior midfielder defender Jessica Bedford to put the Colonels out in front 2-0 at the 57:37 mark.

The Jaguars tried to mount a second half rally, as three Southern corner kicks and 13 shots showed that Southern was picking up the pace.

Fortunately, for Nicholls, Merserau finished strong recording seven of her eight saves in the second half to keep her bid for her first clean sheet of the season, and the third of her career, in tact.

The win gives head coach Dylan Harrison his first at the helm of the Colonel program.

The Colonels will return to action on Sunday when they host Troy at 1 p.m. at the Nicholls State Soccer Complex.

Admission is three dollars for the general public. Nicholls students with a valid student ID and children five and under will be admitted free.