CLICK HERE TO WATCH NICHOLLS AT MISSISSIPPI STATE LIVE ON WATCHESPNSTARKVILLE, Miss. – Coming off of a dominant victory over Southern University, the Nicholls State University women's soccer team will take their talents on the road for a matchup with Mississippi State at 7 p.m. on Friday, live on SEC Network Plus and WatchESPN.
The Colonels (1-1-1) have had a roller coaster beginning to their 2015 campaign, but are on an upward trend. Nicholls dropped its regular-season opener at Louisiana-Lafayette, before responding with a 2-2 double-overtime draw against Southern Miss on Friday and a 2-0 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.
The Bulldogs (0-4) have had a rough start to their season, opening with four straight losses, in which they were outscored 8-1. Despite a less-than-solid start, Mississippi State's losses have come against tough competition, including South Alabama, and the Bulldogs are poised to hold of the Colonels for their first victory of the year.
Nicholls and Mississippi State have met only once in the history of the programs. Their lone meeting came in 2008, with the Bulldogs capturing a decisive 8-0 victory. Since that time, the Colonels have taken major strides as a program. Nicholls reached its second-consecutive Southland Conference Tournament last season and secured its first postseason win. The Colonels also earned the first victories in program history against both Southern Miss and Southeastern Louisiana.
Nicholls boasts 22 returning letter winners and seven returning starters from last year's record-setting team, including All-Southland First Team selections,
Jess Coates and
Spencer Valdespino. Through three games, Valdespino has scored three goals for the Colonels, with
Jess Coates assisting on two of them. Valdespino's most recent goal was the 34
th of her illustrious career, setting the school record for career-goals. In recognition of her performance, the Southland Conference named Valdespino its Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday.
As a team, the Colonels have scored four goals and surrendered four through three games, but Nicholls' offensive dominance may be better represented by the disparity in shots and shots on goal. The Colonels have taken 58 shots (30 on goal) compared to just 24 shots (16 on goal) by their opponents.
Valdespino leads Nicholls with 15 shots (10 on goal), followed by Coates and
Lindsay Gardner, who have taken eight shots apiece.
The Mississippi State offense is led by Kiley Martens, who scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs this season. Elva Astthorsdottir assisted on the goal. Mallory Eubanks paces the squad in both shots (six) and shots on goal (two).
The spearhead of the Colonel defense,
Katherine Kelly, has played a team-high 290 minutes. In the net, Nicholls has utilized all three goalkeepers, allowing each the opportunity for a complete-game. Senior
Amanda Boylson (0-1) played the regular-season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, recording six saves and allowing two goals in the loss. Senior
Haley Golden (0-0-1) earned five saves, while surrendering two goals in squad's double-overtime draw against Southern Miss. Junior
Taylor Mosley (1-0) held the net in the Colonels' shutout win over Southern, but faced only two shots, recording one save.
Mississippi State has played two goalies this season, but sophomore Tonya De Souza has seen the majority of the action. De Souza (0-4) has allowed eight goals and recorded 14 saves through 345 minutes on the pitch.
Nicholls will battle the Bulldogs live on SEC Network Plus and WatchESPN 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.
