THIBODAUX, La. – With the Southland Conference Tournament less than a month away, time is the biggest enemy for the Nicholls State University women's soccer team as the squad looks to claw its way into the postseason. The Red and Grey will attempt to make a late push over their final six bouts, beginning with McNeese at 4 p.m. on Friday.
 
The Colonels (3-7-1, 1-4 SLC) picked up their first league victory on the road against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, but are coming off of a 3-1 loss to a tough Houston Baptist team that currently sits at No. 2 in the Southland.
 
The Cowgirls (4-7, 1-4 SLC) have had similar fortunes over their 2015 campaign, and will enter Friday's contest just as determined to rise from the SLC cellar. McNeese picked up its lone win in a double-overtime matchup with Northwestern State on Sept. 27. Since that time, the Cowgirls have lost to Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin. McNeese has gone to overtime or double-overtime in their previous four contests.
 
Last season Nicholls downed the Cowgirls, 3-2, during the regular season, and knocked McNeese out of the postseason with a 1-0 victory at the conference tournament. The postseason win was the first for the Colonels in program history.
 
Nicholls' struggles this season haven't come on the offensive side of the ball. In the Southland Conference, the Colonels rank third in assists, assists per game and goals per game, while placing fifth in goals, shots and points.
 
In stark contrast, Nicholls ranks eighth in goals allowed and 10^th in both saves and average goals against.
 
If the Colonels hope to claim a postseason birth, they will need steady goalkeeping and strong defensive play over their remaining matches.
 
Spencer Valdespino currently leads the league in shots (46) and shots per game (4.18), and is second in goals (seven). She also ranks in the top ten in points (10), points per game (1.11) and goals per game (0.64). Jess Coates, Emily Werenskiold, Erin Blackwell, Ainsley Pratt and Francesca Curteis each have two assists apiece. Katherine Kelly spearheads the Nicholls defense and goalkeeper Amanda Boylson (2-6) has earned 57 saves while surrendering 23 goals this year.
 
Bettina Brulhart paces the McNeese offense in both goals (three) and assists (two). In the net, Lauren Sestak and Maggie Marks have combined for 62 saves, while giving up 16 goals.
 
The Colonels will head to Texas for dates with Stephen F. Austin (Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.) and Sam Houston (Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.) next weekend.
 
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.