COMMERCE, Texas -- The Nicholls State University women's soccer team was defeated 4-0 by UIW in the opening round of the 2026 Southland Conferernce Tournament in Commerce, Texas on Tuesday afternoon.
Nicholls started strong as
Angelina Rispone took the first shot of the game three minures into the action. However, UIW found its rhythm and began to generate chances as they took the next nine shots of the contest. Colonel goalkeeper
Aislinn Wright recorded two saves before the Cardinals' Zaiba Ishaque got behind the defense to score the first gpal of the contest (22:24).
A common theme throughout the contest was the Cardinals using their speed to create scoring opportunities. That was on full display in the second goal of the game as goalkeeper Hannah Alexander flipped the field with a long-distance pass that found Peri Olmo who then sent it to Louise Coates to put UIW up 2-0 shortly after the intermission. Julia Watson scored the third goal of the game from distance (58:33), while Morgan Heintz scored in the 84th minute.
Overall, the Colonels were outshot 19-12 as they took three in the first half while taking nine in the second. SLC Freshman of the Year
Jezlyn Nelson,
Kaylie Harris,
Gentry Watrous, and Rispone led the attack with two shots apiece. All-SLC First Team selection,
Alyssa Wheeler,
Cameron Bonadona,
Kate Guillory, and
Sammi Doyle took one shot apiece. Wright finished the game with five saves.
For Nicholls (6-7-6, 4-3-3 SLC) they finished with the most overall wins by a Colonel squad since 2017 and most league victories since 2014. The Red & Gray is now 1-6 all-time in the postseason tournament.
