The Nicholls State University women’s soccer team seniors accomplish their goal of leaving the program better than they found it with multiple first time wins and awards in this years record setting season.

The Colonels finish their season with an overall record of 9-9, while earning the programs first victories in history against University of Southern Mississippi and Southeastern Louisiana University.

“I think we did everything we wanted to accomplish. Our goal was to get to the tournament, maybe win a game or two in the tournament and we did. Despite our loss in the tournament, we made it to the semifinals. As a senior, it was really gratifying. I’m not leaving soccer, the season or my team with any regrets. I’m really satisfied with how we ended,” senior Sarah Tani said.

The team finished their conference games with a 5-6 record, which lead to their placement as the fifth seed, and their second ever chance in the Southland Conference Tournament. The team started off their tournament by winning 1-0 to the fourth seed and rival McNeese State University. The win earned the programs first ever postseason win and their chance in the semifinals. The Colonels suffered a tough 5-0 loss to the first seed, Stephen F. Austin University, and didn’t make it to the finals.

“It was a bad loss, but honestly we played really well. We just have spurts of five minutes that we broke down defensively, and I guess they punished us like any good team will. It was bizarre that they lost in the final round to HBU, who we smashed in the season 4-2. It was a random collection of wins and losses from everybody across the board,” Tani said.

The Colonels will part with seven seniors this season. Seniors include: Kristy Tatom, Misty Tatom, Missy McGuire, Kirsten Cunningham, Amber Moore, Lauren O’Brien, Amanda Boylson, and Sarah Tani. The team will be returning 25 of their 35 players, including both of Nicholls’ First-Team All-Conference selections and four of the top-five scorers of the 2014 season.

“It feels like a breakup. It’s a breakup with somebody that you loved a lot, but for some uncontrollable reason, you had to go your separate ways. There are going to be a moments that you miss more than others, but with time, it will get better,” Tani said. “For 18 years I’ve played soccer, and it has been my love affair. I’ve put everything I have into this sport. Now its over and it’s like the end of an era. You need to grow and move on from here, but you don’t know what yet.”

The seniors leave the program, their team and Coach Dylan Harrison better than what they found it.
“We were kind of his first class to change the program, and he’s done so many things to change the program. I feel like I came here at the right time,” Tani said. “Its cool to see where I was freshman year to senior year and where we are leaving the program.”