THIBODAUX, La. – It all comes down to Friday, as the Nicholls State University women's soccer team faces Southeastern La. in a must-win game at 4 p.m. at the Nicholls Soccer Complex. A victory would secure a Southland Conference Tournament seat for the Colonels, while a loss would bring their season to an end.
Anyone wondering if Nicholls is capable of holding up under must-win pressure can rest assured by simply looking back at the team's previous three matches.
Less than two weeks ago, after a loss to Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 16, the Red and Grey were in last place in the conference standings. The Colonels knew at that point, the only way to extend their season would be to win their final four games. Two days later, Nicholls captured its first must-win victory, on the road, over the second-best defensive team in the league, Sam Houston. The Colonels returned to Thibodaux and secured a must-win victory over Northwestern State on Senior Day. Nicholls' win over the Demons was the first in the history of the soccer program. The Colonels were 0-21-1 all-time against Northwestern State in previous meetings. On Sunday, battling the remnants of the strongest hurricane on record, the Colonels picked up a must-win victory over Central Arkansas to stretch their streak to three.
Rather than buckle under the pressure of must-win circumstances, Nicholls has taken its game to a new level. The question is not whether the Colonels are capable of performing under pressure. The question is, can Nicholls can rise to the occasion one final time and secure a Southland Conference Tournament seed against a talented Lion squad that currently holds the No. 3 spot.
For reassurance, Colonel fans need only to look back to Oct. 31, 2014. Almost a year to the day, Nicholls defeated Southeastern La., 4-2, to punch their ticket to the Southland Conference Tournament.
While last year's win over the Lions came on the road, this time the Colonels host Southeastern La., hoping to field a raucous crowd for their pivotal regular-season finale.
Friday's match will be Halloween-themed, with the first 30 fans in a costume receiving a free t-shirt.
Nicholls (6-9-1, 4-6-0 SLC) enters the match riding its first three-game winning streak since Sept. 9, 2013, when the Colonels won eight-straight.
The Lions (10-4-3, 5-3-2 SLC) are coming off of a 1-0 tie against Northwestern State on Sunday, after downing Central Arkansas, 1-0, on Friday.
Spencer Valdespino spearheads the Nicholls offense and was named Southland Conference Player of the Week on Tuesday, after scoring three goals and adding an assist against the Demons and Bears. Valdespino leads the league in shots (92), shots per game (5.75) and shots on goal per game (2.69). She is also tops in the conference in points (28), points per game (1.75), goals (13), goals per game (0.81) and game-winning goals (four).
Hannah Savoie and
Mie Elvestad each have three goals for the Colonels, while
Miranda O'Neil and
Haylee Atwell have two apiece.
Francesca Curteis and
Emily Werenskiold pace the squad with four assists each.
Katherine Kelly,
Nicole Dupin and
Savannah Boswell lead the Nicholls defense, backed up by
Amanda Boylson in the net. Dupin earned Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week honorable mention honors on Tuesday. Boylson (5-7, 4-5 SLC) has recorded 61 saves while allowing 22 goals this season. Over the Colonels' three-game winning streak, Boylson has faced 29 shots, earning 14 saves and allowing just three goals.
Gisena Utreras headlines the Southeastern La. offense with team-highs in points (27), goals (10) and assists (seven).
Goalkeeper Hope Sabadash (10-4-3, 5-3-2 SLC) has earned 62 saves, while surrendering 16 goals for the Lions. She has eight shutouts on the year.
Admission to all Nicholls 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.
