THIBODAUX - The Nicholls State University women's soccer team (6-5-1, 0-3-0 Southland Conference) continues its longest homestand of the season when the Colonels host conference power Stephen F. Austin (10-3-1, 3-0-1 Southland) in a 4 p.m. kickoff at the Nicholls Soccer Field on Friday.

The contest will be the second match of a three-match homestand, the longest of the season, for the Colonels.  Nicholls will be looking to return to the form that saw the Colonels open the season with a 6-2-1 record.  The Colonels got off to the best start in school history and set a new single season school record for victories thanks to a high-scoring offense and a greatly improved defense.

However, injuries have hurt the Colonels at the start of the conference season, with three of the Colonels' regular starters sitting out the first three matches of the Southland campaign.

Meanwhile, the Nicholls offense will look to get back on track after being held scoreless in each of the last three matches.  The Colonels still boast one of the most consistent offensive threats in the country in the form of senior forward Kaity Mattsson.  The Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada native ranks in the top-15 in the nation in goals per game (sixth, 0.917), points per game (ninth, 2.08), goals (tenth, 11) and points (14th, 24).  Mattsson leads the league in all categories.

The Colonels figure to face a tough challenge with the Ladyjacks.  Stephen F. Austin boasts a 10-3 record with victories over regional powers such as Louisiana Tech, Arkansas and Houston.  SFA's only three losses on the year have come by way of one-goal defeats to Oklahoma and Texas-El Paso as well as a 3-1 loss to Rice.  Stephen F. Austin has gotten off to a fast start in the conference season with wins over Lamar, McNeese State and Northwestern State. 

However, the Ladyjacks have proven to be vulnerable at times.  SFA's only winless match in conference play was a 1-1 tie to a Central Arkansas team that is winless in conference play and three matches below .500 overall this year.

A win over the Ladyjacks would be the first Southland Conference victory for the Colonels since 2007.  Kickoff between the Colonels and Ladyjacks is set for 4 p.m. at the Nicholls Soccer Field.  Following the match, the Colonels will return to action on Sunday when they host the Sam Houston State Bearkats in the conclusion of a three-match homestand, their longest of the season.