THIBODAUX, La. – After a tough loss last Sunday, the Nicholls State University women's soccer team closes the non-conference portion of the schedule this weekend in Mississippi, taking on Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State.

A 3-5, the Colonels can reach .500 with a sweep of the weekend, building some positive momentum heading into Southland Conference action next week.

Nicholls is one of only three Southland teams who has scored 20 or more goals this year, and ranks 27th overall in the nation in scoring offense averaging 2.5 goals per game.

Spencer Valdespino, Annie Newell, Amanda Boylson and Haley Golden remain among the league leaders in various statistical categories, while remaining among some of the nation's best as well.

Although Valdespino didn't score a goal in the last game, she currently sits second in the league in shots and shots per game with 33 total for a 4.12 per game average.

Annie Newell scored her first goal since the Southern match, and is currently tied with Valdespino for the team lead in goals with four, assists with three and points with 11. They each rank in the top ten in points and points per game averaging 1.38 per match, as well as assists and assists per game.

The duo are both in the top 120 ranked players by the NCAA in five statistical categories, with the highest ranking being 46th for Valdespino who has two game winning goals on the season.

Outside of the Prairie View match, the Colonels defense has been stout giving up three goals before Sunday, still outscoring their opponents 13-6 over that period. Amanda Boylson is seventh among goalies in saves with 25 and fifth in saves per game with 4.17.

At 6 p.m. on Friday the Colonels meet the Devilettes for the seventh time in team history, and have a 2-4 all-time mark against MVSU. It'll be the third meeting in Mississippi, as after losing the first four meetings, Nicholls has won the last two including last year's 3-1 win in Thibodaux.

By the time the Colonels take on Alcorn State, the Lady Braves will be on their third match in five days, entering the week 0-4 on the season. It will be the third meeting between the two clubs, as Nicholls has won both prior matches by a combined score of 14-0.