THIBODAUX, La. -- Despite poor weather conditions complicating play throughout the match, the Nicholls State University women's soccer program (1-0-1, 0-0-0 Southland) managed to carve out a hard-fought draw Saturday afternoon against Mississippi Valley State (0-1-1, 0-0-0 SWAC), knotting the score late at 1-1 behind a Blaire Laiche deflection midway through the second half and holding on in both overtime periods. Offensively, the Colonels outpaced the Devilettes in every major category by a significant margin, generating a 34-to-4 total shot advantage, a 16-to-3 edge in shots-on-goal and an 8-to-1 favor in corner kicks.

HEADLINES
-- Laiche, who previously scored the only two goals of her career late in the last season's campaign, notched her first points of the year on a well-placed ricochet on fellow senior Kristy Helmer's shot outside the box. On the day, the senior forward ranked in a tie for second in total shots taken (four) with just one coming on goal.
-- Defensively, the Red & Gray backline only allowed MVSU to threaten senior GK Roosa Hurmerinta on limited occasions, surrendering just four shots -- three on goal -- throughout the entirety of the match. The lone goal came on a penalty kick in the 33', as a foul just inside the top edge of the box allowed Shay McCool to squeeze a shot into the upper right-hand corner of the net on the PK.

KEY STATISTICS
-- Offensively, Nicholls maintained its spread-and-shoot style consistent with the season opener, finishing the draw with 12 shot-takers on the afternoon. Statistically, senior Tessa Calabria, junior Hannah Bodron and freshman Alicia Carlos led the squad behind five shots apiece; meanwhile, senior Elisabet Gunnthorsdottir posted an efficient day on the attack, drilling four shots-on-goal on just four attempts, a team-best, with Bodron ranking second with three of her five shots coming on goal.
-- Between the posts, Hurmerinta wrapped up the match with two saves while her MVSU counterpart -- McKenzie McCarthy -- finished with 15.

UP NEXT
With the back-to-back contests against Mississippi Valley State completed, the Colonels brace for their most notable non-conference match of the year Wednesday afternoon, hosting in-state foe Louisiana Tech at 4 p.m. at the Nicholls Soccer Complex.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Women's Soccer, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_SOC), Instagram (@geauxcolonels) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).