Match Info

THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's soccer team closes out the road portion of the 2013 schedule on Friday night, taking on Southland Conference newcomer Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. at Sorrels Field in Houston.
 
The contest on Friday ends a five-match road swing for the Colonels, who will return home next weekend to close out the regular season next Friday and Sunday afternoon.
 
It's been tough sledding for the team since the road trip started, as the squad has dropped five of its last six overall and goes into this week needing a win in order to help its tournament chances going into the final week of the season. As of this week, Nicholls is in a battle with Northwestern State, Central Arkansas and Sam Houston State for the final few spots in the league tournament in two weeks. Nicholls and Northwestern State have each played nine league games and will only have one match this week, while UCA and Sam Houston State will have two. The Lady Demons own the tiebreaker over Nicholls, while the Colonels have the same over UCA with the Bearkats on tap for the season finale next week.
 
Links to live stats will be provided at GeauxColonels.com.
 
Last Time Out
The Nicholls women's soccer team ran into a buzz saw this weekend, dropping a pair of matches to Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin on the road to fall to 10-5-1 on the year and 4-5 in league play. The road trip has not been too kind to the team as the squad is battling long drives and injuries that has the team being outscored 11-4 since hitting the road on Oct. 11. On Northwestern State's senior day, the Colonels were unable to catch any breaks and were shutout for the first time this season in a 3-0 loss. Then on Sunday against league-leading Stephen F. Austin, the Colonels were able to snap the Ladyjacks seven-match conference shutout streak, the Colonels gave up two goals in each period falling 4-1. After starting league play 3-0, the team has dropped five of its last six and is fighting for position with just two weeks left to make the conference tournament. With HBU being the only team on tap for the squad this weekend, the tournament picture will be much clearer as the Colonels will have played 10 league matches going into the final week of play.
 
Although the team struggled, the Colonels are starting to get some of its pieces back that they went without for a handful of matches in Hannah Savoie, with the possibility of Meghan Lanteigne making a return to the pitch this week.
 
The record-breaking year of Spencer Valdespino continued last Sunday as her goal against the Ladyjacks was her 12th of the season, tying her with Kaity Mattsson for most goals in a season. After breaking the record for points in a season two weeks ago, the sophomore forward is 15 in the nation in total goals and goals per game, while sitting 20th in points per game and 22nd in total points. Her five assists has her tied for third in the league and in the top 130 players in the nation. 
 
Scouting Houston Baptist
Houston Baptist enters the match this weekend 4-10-1 overall and 3-5 in league contests in its inaugural season in the Southland Conference. The Huskies were a solid program in their former Great West home, winning the league championship in 2010 in its home stadium of Sorrels Field. Although HBU did not have to change much as a Division I member already, the Huskies did face a pretty challenging schedule early with matches against Tulsa, TCU, UTEP and Houston in the non-conference portion of the schedule. After starting 0-2, Houston Baptist earned three of its next five wins over Lamar, McNeese State and Incarnate Word, but consecutive losses to ORU and UCA has the Huskies just outside of the tournament race. HBU will be looking for its first home win of the season on Friday night. Opposing teams are scoring on average 1.13 goals per match against HBU, while the Huskies average a little less than a goal per game. The Husky defense has only allowed 17 goals on the season, giving up seven in the first half and eight in the second, while HBU has scored six of their ten goals in the second half of play.
 
The Huskies are led by Rebekah Tovar and Molly Missimer, who each lead the squad with three goals. Tovar is also tied for the team lead in assists with two along with Natalie Hager. HBU has used three goalies this season, but the start is expected to go to Patty Walrath who is 3-4 on the season and has two shutouts to her credit. Walrath has a goals-against average of 1.13 in her matches and sports an .840 save percentage.
 
Up Next
Nicholls closes out the regular season at home with matches against Southeastern Louisiana and Sam Houston State. The two matches will be played during the team's "Family Weekend", with senior day being held prior to the Southeastern Louisiana match.