Box Score and Play-by-Play

THIBODAUX - The Nicholls State University women's soccer team (6-10-2, 0-8-1 Southland Conference) snapped an eight-match losing skid, a a string of 12 consecutive conference losses, by tying the Central Arkansas Bears (6-8-4, 2-4-3 Southland Conference) in a scoreless double overtime contest on Sunday.

The tie marks the first points in conference play on the season for the Colonels and is the first time Nicholls avoided the loss column in conference play since a 1-1 tie with the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners on Oct. 18, 2009.

For Central Arkansas, the tie eliminates the Bears from Southland Conference Tournament contention.  The Bears needed a victory and losses or ties from Northwestern State and Lamar to clinch a postseason berth in their first season of eligibility.

The Colonels clinched the best season in school history earlier in the year by opening the schedule with a 6-2-1 start and setting a new single season school record for overall victories.  Nicholls entered conference play looking to continue that momentum.  However, the Colonels were hurt by nagging injuries throughout the conference season as Nicholls missed as many as four starters at different points throughout league play.

However, the Colonels closed the season strong.  After a pair of close 1-0 losses at UTSA on Oct. 24 and at home against Northwestern State on Friday, Nicholls battled UCA through 110 minutes to snap their 12-match conference losing skid.

The Colonels were looking to send their five member senior class off with a win, so Nicholls came out aggressively in the first half.  The Colonels, who outshot UCA 22-15 on the day, fired off nine shots in the opening period to UCA's three.  Unfortunately, the Bears defense held and the teams went into halftime tied at 0-0.

Playing for its postseason life, the Bears offense pushed forward in the second half as UCA outshot the Colonels 9-8.  However, the Nicholls defense forced six shots off target, asking redshirt junior goalkeeper Molly Mersereau to make just three saves in the second half and  four during regulation.

In overtime, neither side could break through as the teams played through 20 scoreless minutes.

Sunday's match marked the final contest for seniors Jasmine Elsayed, Allison Flynn, Kaity Mattsson, Gillian McCarter and Allison Mylius.  Nicholls said goodbye to four members of their defense in Elsayed, Flynn, McCarter and Mylius, as well as the most prolific goal scorer in school history in the form of Mattsson.  The Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada native concludes her career having set new school records for career goals (33), career points (60), single season goals (12) and single season points (26).  Mattsson led the Colonels in goals scored in each of her four seasons in Thibodaux.