THIBODAUX, La.  – Two of the Southland Conference's premier goal scorers – Nicholls' Jess Coates and HBU's  Gabby Rodriguez – each found the net in Sunday's matchup, but a first-half goal by the Huskies turned out to be the difference as the Colonels fell, 2-1, at the Nicholls Soccer Complex.
 
Despite a 13-8 advantage on shots, Nicholls slipped to 4-5-1 overall and 1-3-1 in league play. Houston Baptist improved to 5-6-1 and 3-1-1.
 
Coates' goal came 10 minutes into the second half after Nicholls fell behind 2-0. She fired one off the post, collected the rebound and scored her league-leading eighth goal of the season. Nicholls had a total of eight shots and three corner kicks in the second half, but Coates' goal would be the only blemish on HBU goalkeeper Katie Turner's sheet.
 
The Huskies gave Turner a cushion late in the first half when Allison Abendschein sliced through the Colonel defense and put a shot past Jade Gallaher for a 1-0 lead. It was Gallaher's first start in the net for the Colonels and she finished the day with five saves.
 
Rodriguez scored her sixth goal of the season just eight minutes into the second period for a 2-0 HBU lead. Ellee Hall made a great pass up the middle and Rodriguez knocked it in at the 53:36 mark.
 
Coates answered less than two minutes later, but it would be the only goal for the Colonels for the day.
 
Friday's hero, Hannah Savioe, had three shots against HBU, while Emily Wereskiold and Francesca Curteis finished with two each.
 
Nicholls will play just one match next weekend, taking on McNeese in Lake Charles. The game is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.