THIBODAUX, La. -- The Nicholls State University women's soccer program finalized its 2019 schedule Friday morning, solidifying a competitive slate of matchups with just under one month until kickoff. The Colonels open the regular season on Aug. 23 at home against Mississippi Valley State -- the first of seven non-conference contests -- before shifting focus to Southland play on Sept. 20, traveling just beyond the Texas border for a battle at Lamar.

Earlier this month, Nicholls Director of Athletics Matt Roan elevated former assistant Danny Free to the vacant head coach position, aiming to bolster the team's success via an internal hire. A four-year veteran of the program, Free remains confident that Colonels possess the talent and experience to fight their way back into competition for the SLC Tournament this season, especially considering six of the team's 10 conference losses a year ago came by just one goal.

"I'm looking forward to getting the season underway with such a strong slate of opposition," Free said. "We're excited to start with four games at home and we hope this will help us open conference play. Anything can happen in the Southland, and I believe we can build an environment in the first few weeks where we take confidence into those matchups."

Following the Sept. 20 visit to Lamar for the Southland opener, Nicholls returns to Thibodaux in back-to-back home matchups against Texas opponents Abilene Christian (Sept. 27) and UIW (Sept. 29). Notable league contests include home games with in-state rival McNeese (Oct. 11) and 2018 regular season champion Central Arkansas (Oct. 27) as well as a key road matchup at Houston Baptist (Oct. 6).

Nicholls wraps up the 2019 regular season schedule on Nov. 1 against Southeastern Louisiana, hosting the Lady Lions on Senior Day before potentially advancing to the Southland Conference Tournament in Conway, Ark.

For more details, check out the full 2019 women's soccer schedule HERE.

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