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HATTIEBURG, Miss. – The Nicholls State University soccer program seeks its second consecutive season-opening victory when it faces Southern Miss Friday at 4 p.m. inside the Southern Miss Soccer Complex.

Directions to the facility can be found here.

The Colonels have had recent success against the Golden Eagles, tying 2-2 in 2015 and pulling out a 2-1 victory on the road in 2014.

On the defensive end, Nicholls returns All-Southland Conference senior Katherine Kelly, senior Nicole Dupin, sophomore Elizabeth Newell and sophomore goalkeeper Roosa Hurmerinta after the 2016 squad held the opposition to a program-low 22 goals.

The Colonels will also provide a dynamic attack, returning last season's second-highest point scorer in sophomore striker Kristy Helmers alongside rising junior Haylee Atwell, who chipped in two goals in Nicholls 5-2 exhibition win over Texas Southern.

Redshirt senior Kirstie Champagne, freshman Shaun Breaux and Helmers also found the back of the net against the Lady Tigers.

Experience can also be found in the midfield as Nicholls welcomes back senior duo Mie Elvestad and Emily Werenskiold, junior Francesca Curteis and sophomore Blaire Laiche.

Southern Miss had an impressive showing in an 8-1 drubbing of Southeastern Louisiana in its exhibition match. The Golden Eagles had four freshmen contribute with a goal including Jennyfer Caracheo who scored twice.

The Colonels then host Mississippi Valley State University Sunday on a 1 p.m. start at the Nicholls Soccer Complex. Nicholls has won its past four matches against the Devilettes and holds a 35-9-1 record, including a 12-game winning streak, against schools in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. 

MVSU features an exceptional scorer in Laadi Issaka, who led the SWAC with 19 goals last season. She also tallied 41 points, good for second in the league. The Devilettes open the season Friday at LSU.

For the latest news on Nicholls soccer, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_SOC.