THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's soccer team vaulted itself back into the postseason discussion on Sunday after downing one of the top teams in the Southland Conference, Sam Houston, on the road. The Colonels control their own destiny moving forward, beginning with a 4 p.m. Senior Day match on Friday against Northwestern State. Nicholls will host Central Arkansas at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
 
Both of this weekend's opponents are ahead of the Colonels in the conference standings, and pair of wins would go a long way towards Nicholls claiming a spot at the Southland Conference Tournament.
 
The Colonels (4-9-1, 2-6-0 SLC) have dealt with countless injuries throughout the season, most notably the loss of Preseason All-Southland First Team honoree Jess Coates, but the squad appears to be healthy and coming together at just the right time.
 
The Lady Demons (5-8-3, 2-4-2 SLC) have been sporadic throughout conference play. Northwestern State tied No. 1 Stephen F. Austin in their opening conference match, but also tied an Incarnate Word team that currently sits at last place in the Southland standings. Over the weekend the Lady Demons earned a dominant 4-0 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, before falling, 3-1, against Houston Baptist.
 
The Bears (6-9-1, 3-4-1 SLC) opened Southland play by winning three of their first four league matches, but have gone 0-3-1 since that time. Central Arkansas was downed by Houston Baptist, 2-1, on Friday and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 2-1, on Sunday.
 
Spencer Valdespino is the linchpin of the Nicholls offense and is on a blistering pace this year. Through 14 matches in 2015, Valdespino has already matched the 10 goals she recorded last season. She currently leads the Southland Conference in shots (71) and shots per game (5.07). For comparison, the next-closest player in the conference has 48 shots and is averaging 3.20 shots per game. Valdespino is second in the conference in goals, goals per game (0.71) and game-winning goals (0.21). She is also third in points (21) and fourth in points per game (1.50).
 
Coates, Emily Werenskiold, Erin Blackwell, Ainsley Pratt and Francesca Curteis each have two assists to pace the Colonels. Hannah Savoie and Mie Elvestad have contributed three goals apiece and Miranda O'Neil has recorded two.
 
Cassandra Briscoe leads Northwestern State in both goals (five) and assists (four).
 
Camille Bassett (seven goals) and Ashley Smith (four goals and four assists) pace the Bears' offense.
 
Nicholls goalkeeper Amanda Boylson (3-7, 2-5 SLC) has earned 52 saves and allowed 19 goals this season. On Tuesday, Boylson received Honorable Mention SLC Goalkeeper of the Week honors after picking up five saves a shutout performance against Sam Houston.
 
Alex Latham (2-4-2) has recorded 63 saves, while allowing just 14 goals in the net for the Lady Demons.
 
Goalies Anna Hughes and Lauren Mercuri have combined for a 6-9-1 record, 87 saves and 20 goals surrendered for Central Arkansas this year.
 
Colonel seniors Kaylie Daniels, Erin Flores, Haley Golden, Boylson and Valdespino will be honored prior to Friday's Senior Day match.
 
Following this weekend's action, Nicholls will close out the regular season at home against Southeastern La. (Friday, Oct. 30 at 4 p.m.).
 
Admission to all home soccer games is absolutely free! Come out and support your Colonels!
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls soccer visit geauxcolonels.com.