Sept. 11, 2009

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Junior forward Kaity Mattsson produced just the second hat trick in the program's histroy and put herself in a tie atop the school career goals scored list on Friday. However, more importantly, Mattsson's three goals sparked a six goal output by the Nicholls State University women's soccer team (2-3) that propelled the Colonels to a 6-0 win over Alabama A&M in Jacksonville on Friday night.

"We did a good job of coming straight at them and creating opportunities," head coach Dylan Harrison said. "One of the things we talked about was limiting their chances. We gave up maybe one chance to them that we shouldn't have, but in the end we kept in clean which is always a positive."

Mattsson got the Colonels on the board just three minutes into the first half, collecting a pass from freshman defender Britni Crone before knocking it home past Bulldog goaltender Brittany Christian to put Nicholls up 1-0. The goal was Mattsson's fourth of the year, and the assist marked the first point of Crone's college career.

The Colonels and Mattsson struck again just over four minutes later as Mattsson found the back of the net off an assist from senior defender Jessica Bedford at the 7:01 mark. Ten seconds later, sophomore defender Keisha Brown connected with Mattsson as the Bracebridge, Ontario native scored the 17th goal of her career at the 7:11 mark.

Mattsson's three-goal game ties her with Kim Robinson (2000-2004) atop the school career goals scored list with 17 and marks just the second hat trick in Nicholls soccer history.

Brown would find the net herself to put Nicholls out in front 4-0 in the 73rd minute thanks to the first of two assists from sophomore midfielder Carolyn Noble on the night.

Senior forward Alicia Gautreau, who posted the Colonels' only other hat trick back in a 6-0 win over Southern on Aug. 22 of last season, returned to the lineup for the first time this season after suffering a preseason injury and wasted no time making her presence felt.

Nicholls would claim a 5-0 advantage as Gautreau found the net in the 76th minute as a pass from Noble set up Gautreau's 12th career goal.

Noble would complete the scoring with her second goal of the season coming in the final minute of play.

The Colonels split goalkeeping duties on the night between sophomores Molly Mersereau and Sarah Damen. The duo faced ten Bulldog shots and stopped all four Alabama A&M shots on goal.

"There were a lot of positives tonight," Harrison said. "Obviously, Kaity's hat trick to tie the school record is a tremendous positive and having Alicia come back from injury and get on the board gave us a boost. Damen and Molly were really solid tonight in getting us a shutout and our first road win. So, there were plenty of positives tonight. Now we get a day off to prepare and get ready for Jacksonville State and give ourselves a shot at two wins this weekend."

Nicholls will return to action on Sunday when they take on the Gamecocks at 1 p.m. in Jacksonville.