RUSTON, La. – In a match that featured 45 substitutions, multiple yellow cards, a penalty kick score and a phantom goal, the Nicholls State University women's soccer team was overcome, 4-1, by Louisiana Tech on a 100-degree Sunday afternoon.
 
It didn't take long for the Bulldogs (4-2) to open up the scoring, when Brittany Beddow chipped a shot over the head of Colonel goalie Taylor Mosley only a minute and 22 seconds into the contest.
 
Twenty minutes later, things got confusing.
 
At the 21-minute mark, a scrum in front of the Nicholls (1-3-1) net resulted in a second goal for Louisiana Tech. Despite the ball being kicked multiple times by both teams in close proximity of the net, the ball never appeared to come close to crossing the goal line at any point. After the Colonels cleared the ball, a whistle sounded, and both teams appeared to be momentarily perplexed. Seconds later, the Bulldog squad began to celebrate after realizing they were awarded a second goal.
 
A foul at the 35-minute mark gave Nicholls forward Spencer Valdespino a goal kick opportunity, and she easily placed the shot passed Louisiana Tech goalkeeper Kylee Seto.
 
Fifteen minutes later Valdespino took a shot that found the back of the net, and momentarily appeared to be the tying goal, but offside was called.
 
The Colonels remained within a goal, down 2-1, until the 82^nd minute, when Kathryn Sloan made a move to the right and put the ball into the back left corner of the net. Three minutes later, after a goalie change (Haley Golden for Mosley), Sloan assisted on a goal by Beddow, effectively ending any chance of a Nicholls comeback.
 
The Bulldogs outshot the Colonels 18-6 overall, and finished with 10 shots on goal, compared to three for Nicholls.
 
Mosley finished with six saves, while allowing three goals for the Colonels. Golden surrendered one goal.
 
Seto earned two saves in the victory.
 
Kaylie Daniels and Elizabeth Newell were each awarded a yellow card for Nicholls. Kailee Hervey received a yellow card for Louisiana Tech.
 
Nicholls will host Alcorn State on Friday at 4 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.