THIBODAUX, La. – Battling remnants of the strongest hurricane in recorded history, the Nicholls State University women's soccer team overcame the constant downpour to defeat Central Arkansas, 4-2, on Sunday morning at the Nicholls Soccer Complex.
 
With the victory, the Colonels (6-9-1, 4-6-0 SLC) move into sixth place in the Southland Conference standings. The win, coupled with McNeese State's loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Sunday afternoon, means that if Nicholls defeats Southeastern La. on Friday, the Colonels are guaranteed a postseason berth.
 
It took only three minutes for Nicholls to get on the board against the Bears (6-11-1, 3-6-1 SLC), when Haylee Atwell took a pass from Hannah Savoie, made a defender miss, and fired a shot into the back of the net. The score was the first of Atwell's collegiate career.
 
Atwell's second goal came just nine minutes later. Francesca Curteis launched a deep pass over the head of a sprinting Atwell. Central Arkansas goalie Lauren Mercuri dove forward to beat Atwell to the ball, but couldn't maintain control. Atwell collected the loose ball before Mercuri could recover, and fired it into an empty net.
 
The Colonels and Bears made furious attempts to score over the next 25 minutes, but every attack was met with an equally aggressive defensive effort.
 
Nicholls looked to have a stranglehold on the match, until the 37:56 mark, when UCA's Camille Bassett collected a pass from Kelly McLaughlin on a corner kick, and found the back of the net.
 
The Colonels took a 2-1 lead into the break.
 
Both squads had numerous unsuccessful attacks through the first 29 minutes of the second period.
 
In the 74^th minute, Spencer Valdespino increased the Nicholls lead to two. Emily Werenskiold took a corner kick, which was headed by Curteis to Valdespino at the top of the box. Valdespino fired a bullet from 25 yards out, striking the top left corner of the net.
 
The Colonels enjoyed their two-goal advantage for only one minute and 37 seconds, before Bassett found the net for a second time. It wasn't the prettiest shot attempt, but Bassett's mishit ball caused Nicholls goalie Amanda Boylson to mistime her dive. Boylson was still able to get part of her body on the ball, but momentum allowed it to slowly roll into the net.
 
The goal energized the Bears, who aggressively tried to tie the match, but with just over two minutes remaining, Valdespino scored her second goal of the day, effectively putting the game out of reach. On the play, Ainsley Pratt attempted to head in a corner kick from Werenskiold. Pratt's header was unsuccessful, but Valdespino collected the rebound and fired a follow-up attempt. Valdespino's shot drilled the center of the crossbar and bounced into the back of the net as the Colonel bench erupted in cheers.
 
The Nicholls defense locked down over the final two minutes and Nicholls held on for the much-needed victory.
 
Valdespino led the Colonels in both shots (nine) and shots on goal (four). She now has 13 goals on the season. Atwell finished with two shots, both of which found the net. Werenskiold and Curteis registered two assists apiece, and Curteis added two shots. Werenskiold, Pratt, Erin Flores, Kaylie Daniels and Lindsay Gardner each contributed a shot for Nicholls in the win.
 
Bassett finished with seven shots, six on goal, to pace Central Arkansas. No other player had a multi-shot outing for the Bears.
 
The Colonel defense, led by Nicole Dupin, Katherine Kelly and Savannah Boswell, played outstanding in the victory.
 
Boylson (5-7, 4-5 SLC) picked up the win, earning six saves, while allowing two goals.
 
Mercuri took the loss, totaling four saves and surrendering four goals.
 
Nicholls will host Southeastern La. on Friday 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.