Match Info

THIBODAUX, La. – Off to the best start in program history, as well as tying the program record for wins in a season, the Nicholls women's soccer team opens Southland Conference action on Friday afternoon hosting the McNeese State Cowgirls at 2:30 p.m. in Thibodaux before heading to Corpus Christi to take on the Islanders on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Nicholls did not have a match on Sunday after routing Alcorn State 6-0 last Friday to improve to 6-0-1 on the season. The Colonels will play four of the next five matches in Thibodaux at the Nicholls Soccer Complex before having five consecutive matches on the road beginning in the second week of October.
 
Tickets can be bought online as well as at the gate for $5 or for the entire season for $30 as students can get in free with their Colonel Card. For fans unable to make the matches, for the first time this season all Colonel home soccer matches will be posted and archived later that day after the conclusion of the match and can be viewed with a subscription to Colonels All-Access.
 
Last Time Out
The Nicholls State University women's soccer team tied the school record for most wins in a season with six after a 6-0 drubbing of Alcorn State. At 6-0-1 on the season, the Colonels are still off to their best start in team history, as well as tying the program record winning streak with five-straight wins. Nicholls outshot the Lady Braves 30-1 over the course of the match, including 20 shots on goal. Nicholls had four players score and earned assists on five of the six goals on the day.
 
Leading the way was junior midfielder Lauren O'Brien who scored consecutive goals in the second half and had an assist on one of the goals in the first for five total points. O'Brien led all players with six total shots, with four coming on goal. Miranda O'Neil also scored twice, finishing second with five shots and four on goal. Melissa Pestalozzi scored her first goal of the season to open the match, while Shelby Smith scored in the 48th minute for her second of the season. Kirstie Champagne assisted on both of O'Brien's goals in the second half for her first collegiate assists.
 
Going into league play, the Colonels are third in the nation in scoring offense with a Southland-leading 3.86 goals per game. Nicholls is also fifth in points per game average 11 points per match. Individually, Spencer Valdespino is 36th in the country in points per game (2.00), 44th in goals per game (.833) and 74th in total points (12).
 
Scouting McNeese State
The McNeese State Cowgirls enter the match 5-2-1 on the season, coming off of a confidence-building tie with nationally-ranked Baylor on Sunday. The Cowgirls are led by Tori Lasiter's four goals, while Callie Allbright has a team-high three assists. Nicholls has lost the last eight matches against the Cowgirls, looking for their first win since 2004.
 
Scouting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders is in their first season as a program and sports a 1-5 record after a challenging first-year slate. The Islanders earned the first win in program history with a 2-1 decision against UTSA on Sept. 6. Yvette Franco has been the main scoring threat for the Islanders, as she currently has seven of the team's nine goals on the year.
 
Up Next
Nicholls returns home to open up a three-game homestand beginning with Southland newcomers Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word next weekend.