HAMMOND, La. – Coming off of a 2-0 shutout victory on Senior Day, the Nicholls State University women's soccer team will look to carry their momentum into Friday's contest as they take on Southeastern Louisiana University at 3 p.m. in Hammond.
 
The Colonels' (8-8, 4-5 SLC) postseason status is still uncertain, but a victory over the Lions (12-5, 5-4 SLC) would be a huge step towards securing a Southland Conference Tournament spot.
 
Southeastern Louisiana started the year 11-1, outscoring opponents 40-5 over that stretch, and looked to be the favorites to win the regular-season title, but an injury to standout goalkeeper Hope Sabadash changed the course of the Lions' season. Since the injury to Sabadash, Southeastern La. has gone 3-4 and given up more than twice as many goals (11) in their last seven matches than they did in the previous 10 matches (5). The Lions remain a capable Southland contender, currently ranked fourth in the conference standings, and will be a challenging opponent regardless of Sabadash's status for Friday's contest.
 
Nicholls has had a roller coaster of a year to this point, including its own goalie merry-go-round. The Colonels opened 2014 with the program's first ever victory over Southern Mississippi, before losses to tough opponents in South Alabama and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. In conference play Nicholls defeated Incarnate Word and Lamar University, two teams that they were downed by in 2013, but suffered losses to McNeese State, Abilene Christian and Houston Baptist, three schools that they earned victories over in 2013. The Colonels have put their complete athleticism on display in flashes throughout the season, but will need to harness their full capabilities with just two games remaining in order to punch their ticket for the postseason.
 
In the only matchup between Nicholls and Southeastern La. last year, the match ended in a 1-1 tie.
 
The Colonels have maintained an extremely balanced attack on both ends throughout the season. On the offensive side, 16 different Nicholls players have scored and 11 have earned assists. Defensively, the Colonels have played three different goalkeepers and relied on overall team defense to maintain consistency.
 
Jess Coates leads the offensive attack for Nicholls with five goals and six assists. Spencer Valdespino has five scores on the season, while Emily Werenskiold has contributed two goals and four assists.
 
Bri Singh has 13 scores to pace the Lions, while Katie Noonan has a team-leading 10 assists. Maggie Ramsey has added seven goals and six assists this year.
 
Goalie Taylor Mosley (4-7) has logged 1072 minutes in the net for the Colonels this season, earning 58 saves with 21 goals allowed and a .734 save percentage. Haley Golden (2-1) has also seen time in the net, earning 19 saves with just three goals allowed and a .864 save percentage.
 
Casey Jeanfreau (3-4) has earned 37 saves with 11 goals allowed for the Lions after taking over for Sabadash, and has a save percentage of .771. Sabadash (8-1) earned 41 saves with only five goals allowed and a .891 save percentage before being sidelined with injury.
 
Nicholls will face Southeastern La. on Friday before traveling to Huntsville, Texas to face Sam Houston State University at 1 p.m. on Sunday in the final game of the regular season.
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com to find live stats and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls women's soccer.