THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's soccer team will take on Houston Baptist University at 4 p.m. on Friday at the Nicholls Soccer Complex.
 
The Colonels (7-7, 3-4 SLC) are coming off of a 3-1 loss to Stephen F. Austin, and find themselves in the same situation they were in this time last season – fighting for a Southland Conference Tournament spot.
 
Last year coming off of a 3-0 loss to Northwestern State University, Nicholls was able to earn two wins and a tie in its final four matches to reach the conference tournament for the third time in school history. The Colonels hope to repeat that season-ending magic and prolong the careers of their seven seniors, beginning with Friday's matchup against the Huskies.
 
Houston Baptist (5-6-3, 4-1-2 SLC) is coming off of a 2-0 victory over a tough Central Arkansas team, and hopes to spoil Nicholls' Southland Conference Tournament aspirations, while securing its own tournament spot.
 
The Colonels are 2-0 all-time against the Huskies, and defeated Houston Baptist 1-0 in the only meeting between the two programs last season.
 
Jess Coates leads Nicholls offensively with five assists and four goals. Spencer Valdespino has a team-high five goals on the season, while Emily Werenskiold has contributed four assists and two goals this year. 16 different Colonels have scored and 11 have contributed an assist, providing a balanced offensive attack in 2014.
 
Natalie Hager leads the Huskies on the offensive end with five goals, while Rebekah Tavar paces the squad with four assists.
 
Katherine Kelly has registered 1099 minutes on the pitch this year, the most by any Nicholls player, and bolsters the Colonels' defensive efforts. Goalkeeper Taylor Mosley (3-5) has earned 47 saves with 17 goals allowed through 14 games. Haley Golden (2-1) has a club-best .864 save percentage for the season.
 
Patty Walrath (5-5-2) will be in the net for Houston Baptist. She enters Friday's match with 55 saves to 13 goals allowed and carries a .809 save percentage.
 
The Colonels will host Houston Baptist on Friday before facing Central Arkansas at 11 a.m. on Sunday for the final home match of the season at the Nicholls Soccer Complex. Sunday's match will be Senior Day.
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com to find live stats and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls women's soccer.