The Nicholls State University women’s soccer team looks to recover in this weekend’s games against Abilene Christian University and the University of Incarnate Word after a loss and win in Southland Conference openers against McNeese State University and Texas A & M Corpus Christi this past weekend.

Friday, Nicholls traveled to Lake Charles, Louisiana to play the first conference game of the season against the McNeese Cowgirls. After a back and forth game, the Colonels fell short 3-2 in the last four minutes.

Two goals were scored from junior forward Spencer Valdespino, with an assist from both junior midfielder/defender, Kaylie Daniels and freshman midfielder, Emily Werenskiold. Savannah LaRicci, who made the game winning shot and ended with two goals and an assist, led the cowgirls. Nicholls goalie, Taylor Mosley, finished the evening with eight saves and three goals allowed from 21 shots.

“The only words I can think of for Friday’s game are interesting and frustrating. When you play such a close game, it becomes emotion. At the end, it was just heart-wrenching. Especially as a senior, you want to start off with the win, so it was rough,” said senior forward Misty Tatom.

“To drop one at the first game, especially at McNeese is rough. I’m just glad we bounced back on Sunday.”

Sunday, the Colonels played a home game against the Texas A & M Corpus Christi Islanders, which resulted in Nicholls taking home the 1-0 win and leaving the Islanders with a record of 1-4. The game fell in possession of the Colonels quickly, as junior midfielder, Jess Coates, received a free kick from Werenskiold and made a shot that snuck under Islander goalie, Megan Delaney, just 10 minutes into the game. The Islanders came across numerous opportunities, but one came inches away from tying the game as a one-on-one shot with Mosley hit the left post.

After the ball reflected off the referee, an off-side Islander received it.

“I was on the bench when that happened, and there was nothing I could do. It was God’s work because he knew that wasn’t the right thing for them to score. I was not thrilled but that was close,” said Tatom.

Nicholls will continue the conference season this weekend with two away games against the Abilene Wildcats Friday in Abilene, Texas and another against the Incarnate Word Cardinals in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday.

The Wildcats will enter the game with an overall record of 4-6 and 1-1 in conference play. The Cardinals have a current record of 0-7 and 0-1 in conference. Last season, the Colonels won to the Wildcats 3-1 and loss to the Cardinals 2-4.

“We came into the Abilene game last year as the last two undefeated teams. It was a home game, and we ended up winning. The only thing I’m worried about is that we are the away team this year,” said Tatom.

“They’re a very good team, and away trips are always tough, especially when they’re super far. You have no routine when you’re away, but if we can stay focused, we should be able to beat both of them. We need to beat both of them,” said Tatom.

The Colonels look forward to this week’s games in Texas.