THIBODAUX, La. – After 57 minutes of scoreless action, senior
Spencer Valdespino fired a shot passed Southern goalie Kendra Lewis, setting the career goals record and giving the Nicholls State University women's soccer team a lead that they would not surrender, on their way to a 2-0 victory at home.
Valdespino's goal was her third in three games and the 34
th of her illustrious career as a Colonel. She was named to the 2015 Preseason All-Southland First Team, alongside her teammate
Jess Coates. Last season Valdespino was named to the All-Southland First Team, the Louisiana Sports Writers' Association First Team and earned SLC Player of the Week once. In 2013, she was named the SLC Player of the Year, LSWA Player of the Year, a member of the NSCAA All-Region Second Team and earned three SLC Player of the Week awards. Valdespino also earned All-Louisiana First Team and All-Southland Honorable Mention in 2012.
Only five minutes after Valdespino's score on Sunday,
Bethany Hollier found the net for her first goal of the year and the second of her career.
Nicholls (1-1-1) owned the first half, despite taking a scoreless tie into the break. Over the first 45 minutes of play, the Colonels took 21 shots, compared to just one by the Jaguars (0-3). Nicholls traded quantity for quality in the second period, taking nine shots and scoring twice. The Colonels outshot Southern nine to one in the second period.
Valdespino finished the day with six shots (three on goal), while
Jess Coates and
Lindsay Gardner each had five.
Jami Blackston had both shot attempts by the Jaguars.
In the net,
Taylor Mosley earned one save in the shutout victory.
Lewis finished with 15 saves for Southern, surrendering both goals in the loss.
Nicholls will travel to Starkville for a matchup with Mississippi State on Friday at 7 p.m., before facing Louisiana Tech on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Ruston.
Admission to all home soccer games is absolutely free! Come out and support your team!
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls soccer visit geauxcolonels.com.
