THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University soccer team outshot Lamar 15-5 in Friday's Southland Conference opener, but sloppy field conditions due to the constant rain combined with a strong defensive effort by the Cardinals kept the score at a 0-0 tie at the Nicholls Soccer Complex.
 
The game started 50 minutes late due to lightning and despite playing double overtime, it was able to finish before dark. With the tie, Nicholls stands at 3-2-1 overall and 0-0-1 in conference, and Lamar improves to 1-6-1 and 0-0-1.

LEADERS

Emily Werenskiold led Nicholls with four shots – two on goal – and Jess Coates fired off three - one on goal. Roosa Hurmerinta picked up her first career shutout with three saves.

Lamar was led by Jennifer Yacuta with two shots. The Cardinal goalkeeper, Rachel Gries, had an outstanding game as she recorded eight saves.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Gries got some help from her teammates as well as the Colonels nearly scored 20 minutes into the match. Ainsley Pratt  sent a shot towards the goal and left of Gries, but a Lamar defender in front of the net was able to block the ball from going in. Lamar cleared two more potential goals in the second half off the feet of Haley Atwell and Coates.

In the first overtime, Werenskiold had two good looks but her first was stopped by Gries. Her second looked to be the game-winner, but the ball ricocheted off the post with 12 seconds remaining. Werenskiold got one more shot off in the second overtime before the 110 minutes expired.

UP NEXT

Nicholls will head to Texas for its next two matches, taking on Abilene Christian (Sept. 23) and Incarnate Word (Sept. 25). For the latest information on the women's soccer team, follow them on Twitter @Nicholls_SOC.