With three games down and eight more in Southland conference, the Nicholls State University Soccer team continues their journey to their first conference win.

The Colonels traveled to Beaumont, Texas to play against Lamar University Aug. 18 for their first conference game. The team maintained a strong front against the Cardinals for 89 minutes, but loss on a controversial last second goal.

“Losing in the last minute was rough,” said midfielder Erin Flores. “We had played really well the whole game.”

Forward Spencer Valdespino led the game with 11 shots with three on goal, followed by midfield Francesca Curteis’ nine shots with four on goal.

Morgan Burden (with four shots and one on goal) and Mari Olastuen (with five goals, two on goal and one goal) led the Cardinals.

“Soccer is a very different sport. We can dominate for 89 minutes, but lose in the last minute,” said coach Dylan Harrison.

Olastuen scored the goal against the Colonels at the 89th minute with 18 seconds left on the clock, before the game went into overtime. The referees did not rule the shot a goal, but after discussion the goal was awarded to the Cardinals.

“The ref made an interesting call and then took his call back,” said Flores.

The Colonels played Abilene Christian University this past Friday on home turf, where Colonels lost their first home game in 336 days. Mie Elvestad scored the Colonels’ only goal in the 17th minute, 30 yards out.

The Colonels led the game until 41st minute when Dylan Owns scored with an assist from Lindsey Jones. Jones later scored the second goal in minute 61 with an assist from Sophie Standifer. Chelsea Reedy scored the third goal four minutes later and Standifer scored the fourth goal in the 88th minute. Owens assisted both goals, leaving the game in a 1-4 loss for the Colonels.

Forward Spencer Valdespino led the Colonels with four shots (two on goals). Midfielder Emily Werenskiold added two shots on goal for the Colonels. Goalkeeper Amanda Boylson faced 20 shots with a recorded 11 saves and four goals against.

The Colonels played the University of the Incarnate Word this past Sunday. The game remained a tie until the 39th minute, when UIW’s Megan Baker scored against the Colonels. The Cardinals extended their lead to two goals, with a goal from Emani Stewart in the 53rd minute.

Valdespino finished the game with nine shots (seven on goal), leading Nicholls offensively.

With motivation to make it to conference, the team is keeping focus on finishing their chances.
The younger players have come to know the system better, especially as Harrion mentioned, it won’t be changing. The team has had to adjust to the injuries and incoming players, but this does not stop the team from going head on to make it to conference.

“The way we work as a team is better, more confident and motivated,” said midfield Francesca Curteis.

The Colonels will have a chance to break their three-game losing streak when they play Texas A&M- Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas.
“When we think of it as a team sport and help each other out and enjoy playing it is when we will be the most successful,” said Flores.