THIBODAUX, La. - A scrum in front of the goalkeeper led to an own goal for the Nicholls State University women's soccer team as the Colonels fell in a 2-1 decision against Southern University Friday night in the opening game of the Lester Bimah Battle on the Bayou at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex.

With the match knotted at 1-1 in the second half, things got heated between two nearby schools as each team was handed yellow and red cards in a span of four minutes. But the Lady Jaguars attacked the net and found themselves the beneficiary on a Colonel own goal for the game-winner in the 68th minute.

Nicholls (0-1) fired off three more shots on goal down the stretch but was unable to secure a win in the opener of the new venue.

The Colonels needed just 12 minutes to crack the scoring column as Karina Gonzalez scored the first goal of her career. From the center of the field, she launched a shot from over 35 yards out for her first career goal and an early 1-0 lead.

However, Southern's Helen Mulligan quickly answered just two minutes later with a goal to even it back up. 

Nicholls out-shot SU 14-10 in the match including a plus-three in shots on goals, but could never find the back of the net again the rest of the way.

DELAYED
The opener was delayed over 90 minutes due to lightning in the area.

UP NEXT
Nicholls wraps up its opening weekend with a match against Tarleton at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Texans played Friday night as well, earning a tie in a 1-1 match against North Dakota State.