THIBODAUX, La. – With two seconds remaining in the game, Spencer Valdespino fired a shot past Karly Brightwell into the back of the net for the would-be game-tying score, but an offside penalty negated the goal, and the Nicholls State University women's soccer team fell, 2-1, at the Nicholls Soccer Complex.
 
The Colonels (2-6-1, 0-3 SLC) appeared to have complete control on Sunday, outshooting the Cardinals (3-8, 1-2 SLC) and possessing the ball for the majority of the contest. Nicholls totaled with 16 shots (11 on goal), while Incarnate Word recorded only eight shots (four on goal).
 
The Cardinals broke the tie in the 39^th minute, when Megan Baker collected a pass from Emily Halal, and snuck a shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
 
Incarnate Word took a 1-0 lead into the break.
 
The Cardinals doubled their advantage just eight minutes into the second period. Emani Stewart dribbled in a full sprint towards Colonel goalie, Amanda Boylson. Boylson left the net and made a sliding attempt to deflect the ball away from Stewart. Stewart avoided Boylson and fired a shot into an empty Nicholls net.
 
Things looked bleak for the Colonels, but the squad made a strong push over the final few minutes, nearly completing a miraculous comeback. With just under three minutes remaining, a foul gave Valdespino a penalty kick, which she converted into a goal for Nicholls. The score energized the Colonels, who frantically fought to tie the game, but Valdespino's last-second goal was disallowed.
 
Valdespino finished with nine shots (seven on goal) to lead Nicholls offensively. Emily Werenskiold had two shots (one on goal).
 
Baker finished with four shots (two on goal) to pace the Incarnate Word offense.
 
Boylson (1-5, 0-3) earned two saves with two goals allowed in the loss.
 
Brightwell totaled 10 saves in the victory for the Cardinals.
 
Prior to Friday's contest against Abilene Christian, the Colonels had not lost at home for 336 days. Despite the poor start, Nicholls need only look to last season for inspiration, where the squad lost consecutive matches before reaching the Southland Conference Tournament and earning the first postseason win in program history.
 
The Colonels will next head to Texas for matchups with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Friday at 7 p.m.) and Houston Baptist (Sunday at 1 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.