THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University soccer team shined on Friday in an exhibition tune-up against Louisiana College at the Nicholls Soccer Complex.
 
Anna Gourgues stole the show, scoring two goals and adding an assist in the match. Spencer Valdespino contributed two goals and four other Colonels found the net in an offensive outpouring.
 
Nicholls welcomed a familiar face at Friday's match with Sam Etherington returning to Thibodaux as Head Coach for the visiting Wildcats. Etherington was recently selected as part of the NSCAA 30 Under 30 College Coaches, which recognizes some of the top soccer coaches in the nation, chosen from a field of over 500 applicants.
 
Etherington spent her entire college career as a Colonel, playing under Head Coach Dylan Harrison from 2008 until 2011. She returned to coach alongside Harrison for the 2012 season as a Student Assistant, while also spending time as a volunteer coach at E.D. White High School.
 
Friday's exhibition featured three 30-minute periods, as opposed to traditional 45-minute halves. The tune-up allowed both coaches to experiment with lineups and prepare their squads for the upcoming regular season.
 
Hannah Savoie, Emily Werenskiold and Haylee Atwell each recorded a goal and an assist in the match. Ali Ward, Mie Elvestad, Kaylie Daniels and Lindsay Gardner contributed an assist apiece and Bethany Hollier scored one goal.
 
Amanda Boylson, Taylor Mosley and Haley Golden each spent 30-minutes in the net for Nicholls.
 
The Colonels will open regular-season play with a road-battle against Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday Aug. 23 at 1 p.m., before hosting Southern Miss on Friday, Aug. 28.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls soccer visit geauxcolonels.com.