The Colonels soccer team will kick off a three-game home stand Friday when they host conference opponent McNeese.
The Cowgirls come in with a 6-5-2 record on the season, including both a win and loss in conference.
After dropping two conference games against Lamar University and Sam Houston State over the weekend, the Colonels come in with a 5-7 record but are looking to get back on track at home. The majority of the Colonels’ games have been played away from Thibodaux, with only two games at home so far this season.
“We have played a lot on the road already,” said head coach Dylan Harrison. “Our focus is to be very good at home, but we still have to perform on the road.”
This season the team has broken the record for most road victories in team history after 12 games, despite the two road losses last weekend. Even with the recent struggles in conference, Harrison has been pleased with the performance of many of his players offensively.
“We have a number of players who have had multiple goals, whether it be Spencer (Valdespino), Lauren (O’Brien), Annie (Newell) or Jess (Coates),” Harrison said.
Along with junior Janelle Brandom, Valdespino, a freshman, and Newell, a junior, are locked in a three way tie for most goals of the season for the team, each with four. Valdespino leads the Colonels in shots with 47, a number that ranks second in the Southland Conference. Over half of those shots have been on goal.
The Colonels look to continue that offensive balance to gain an advantage as conference play continues. Harrison’s squad has averaged more goals than their opponents this year with 2.08 per game compared to their opponents’ 1.92, complimented by the fact that the Colonels have averaged more shots on goal than the competition. They will face a stout McNeese defense that allows only 1.31 goals per game, so the Colonels will look to use their range of offensive weapons.
“Hopefully, when we go to play teams, they are not just worried about one player,” Harrison said.
It has been an up and down season for the team so far, according to Harrison, but nothing the team is not ready to work through.
“There have been some interesting parts,” Harrison said. “We have had everything from a hurricane disrupting our practice schedule, to injuries, but we are still getting after it.”
With three losses coming by only one goal, the Colonels have found themselves in some close games, while also winning three by a margin of at least three goals. The Colonels are hoping to take home wins in those close games.
“At times we play well,” Harrison said. “We look very good. We look like a team that is very capable of scoring goals, playing smart and winning games.”
Harrison felt there is little to be surprised about in the Southland Conference this season, with the exception of newcomer Oral Roberts.
“They have had some impressive performances so far,” Harrison said. “It will be interesting to see how they fit in.”
The Colonels will get a chance to play the Golden Eagles next Sunday at the Nicholls Soccer Complex.