THIBODAUX, La. - First-year head coach Kristy Helmers will make her debut in front of the home crowd as the Nicholls State University women's soccer team opens the 2024 season hosting Louisiana Tech (Aug. 15) and Grambling (Aug. 18) at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex.

Thursday's match against Louisiana Tech is scheduled for 7 p.m. while Sunday's contest will begin at 10 a.m.

Helmers, who was a four-year starter and helped the Colonels to 18 victories during her career, returns to Thibodaux after serving as an assistant at Friends University where the squad made two appearances in the NAIA National Tournament. 

Nicholls is coming off a one-win season but the offense produced double figures in goals for the first time since 2019. Lauren Andre scored four of the goals and was recognized on the 2024 Preseason All-Southland team. Koryn Barrett was also a multi-goal scorer, finding the back of the net twice last season.

Both starting goalkeepers return from last season. Megan Cook had the lone victory with a goal allowed in the 4-1 win over Texas Southern. Elizabeth Zepeda ended the year with a draw against Northwestern State where she had 11 saves in the 2-2 tie. 

Last season the Colonels had a tough time against LA Tech with an 8-1 loss in Ruston. But in the previous two meetings in Thibodaux, the matches were decided by one goal as Nicholls fell 1-0 in 2021 and 2-1 in '16.

Nicholls and Grambling will meet for the first time since 2018 when the Tigers left Thibodaux with a 2-1 victory thanks to a second-half penalty kick. The Colonels had won the previous four matches by a combined score of 18-2.