THIBODAUX, La. -- The Nicholls State University women's soccer program (3-4-1, 0-1-0 Southland) returns to bayou country for the first time in five matches to kickoff the team's Southland home schedule, battling Abilene Christian (5-2-1, 1-0-0 Southland) on Friday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. before making a quick turnaround against UIW (2-6-0, 1-0-0 Southland) on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m., both contests slated for the Nicholls Soccer Complex. Both the Wildcats & Cardinals opened their conference schedules at home this past Friday, picking up wins over Houston Baptist & Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, respectively; meanwhile, the Colonels aim to clinch their first Southland win of the season after dropping the team's league kickoff to Lamar over the weekend.

Offensively, senior Blaire Laiche continues to shoulder a majority of the statistical load for the Red & Gray, owning team-bests in total shots (24), shots-on-goal (11) and overall goals (6). On the senior forward's flank, though, sits freshman Alicia Carlos, a young forward with proven ability to harass opposing defenses and who currently ranks second behind Laiche in both shots (20) & shots-on-goal (8) for the season.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. Abilene Christian
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 27 | 4 p.m.
WHERE: Nicholls Soccer Complex | Thibodaux, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Free Admission

WHAT: Nicholls vs. UIW
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 29 | 1 p.m.
WHERE: Nicholls Soccer Complex | Thibodaux, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Free Admission
 

• Danny Free enters his first season leading Nicholls, and currently sports a 3-4-1 overall record with the Red & Gray.
• The team boasts six seniors: GK Roosa Hurmerinta, D Jeanne Harson, F/MF Tessa Calabria, MF Elisabet Gunnthorsdottir, F/MF Blaire Laiche & F Kristy Helmers.
• This year's roster is highlighted by nine newcomers, as junior F Cato Hom joined the program as a junior college transfer while freshmen MF Alicia Carlos, MF Lara Treuheit, D Caryn Bonadona, D Karina Gonzalez, F Sydney Wallace, MF Tabea Czech, F/MF Makena Terrell & F Maegan Terrell signed on directly from high school.
• This season's depth chart features 11 players from across the state of Louisiana, five from Texas, a pair from Australia, another two from Germany and one from each of the following: Iceland, Finland & the Netherlands.
• The Colonels were projected to finish 12th in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll.
• Nicholls returns six of last season's 11 starters, including seniors GK Roosa Hurmerinta, MF Elisabet Gunnthorsdottir, MF/D Blaire Laiche & D Jeanne Harson along with junior MF Hannah Bodron and sophomore D Caroline Morton. 

UP NEXT
Following the pair of weekend home matches, the Colonels shift gears once again as they head back onto the road for back-to-back league contests, initially traveling to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday, Oct. 4 before wrapping up the short trip with Houston Baptist on Sunday, Oct. 6.

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).