While still in the early stages of the Southland Conference schedule, the Colonels soccer team are not done proving that they have what it takes to make it back to the conference tournament.

Nicholls (3-7-1, 1-4) finished their weekend with a win against Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and a loss against Houston Baptist University.

The Colonels were able to break their away-game losing streak with their win against TAMCC, breaking a three-game losing streak in the Southland Conference. McNeese State University will come to Thibodaux this Friday at 4 p.m. to continue a rivalry that has formed between the two programs. The Colonels will be taking on the Cowboys this Friday with a new sense of confidence after the TAMCC game.

Last season the Colonels lost to the Cowboys (2-3) in their first conference game. The Colonels then beat the Cowboys (0-1) in their first postseason win in the program’s history.

“It was really good. We got a win for several reasons, especially with the luck we have been having with injuries and different factors out of our control,” midfielder Ainsley Pratt said.

In the game against TAMCC this past Friday, the Colonels played 19 scoreless minutes before forward Lindsay Gardner received a pass from midfield forward Hannah Savoie to score the first goal of the match. Forward Spencer Valdespino found the opportunity to score another goal 10 minutes later on a one-on-one with the goalie.

The goal was initially rejected by the Islanders’ goalie, but Valdespino was able to rebound the ball to send it off the back of the net.

With a two-goal lead, the Colonels were able to fend off the Islanders until the 42nd minute, when the Islanders scored on a shot from the top of the box.

The Colonels did not lead in shots taken, but did have a higher percentage of shots on goal compared to the Islanders. The Colonels had 12 shots and nine on goal, compared to the 17 shots and 10 on goal from the Islanders.

The Colonels followed the win with a loss to Houston Baptist this past Sunday (3-1). With seven minutes on the clock, the Huskies sent the ball into the net with a header off the corner. Spencer scored 20 minutes later, giving the Huskies a two-goal lead on the Colonels. Huskie player Blake Martin brought the score to a 3-0 in the 39th minute.

Valdespino found the net in the 52nd minute, leaving the Huskies with only a two-goal lead.

“You can expect to see us fight like we have not yet this season, as we have a new sense of urgency for us to get results and start winning games,” head coach Dylan Harrison said.

“The game will be high intensity. McNeese is a big rival, we will definitely showcase what we have and show our potential,” Pratt said.
“Every single person on this team, all 30 of us, including the injured ones, have contributed to drive the team. Not one person can say they have succeeded on their own,” Pratt said.

This season the team has suffered several injuries, but this has not kept the team from giving their best. The team has made a few adjustments to the formation to makeup for the players missing and has looked to new forces to fill the voids.

“We have been giving away goals in the last five minutes and we need to finish our chances. We need to keep our intensity and focus all the way through the end,” defender Savannah Boswell said.

With their pride on the line, the Colonels’ goal for the rest of the season is to complete their chances, which has been a problem for this team. The Colonels have increased their speed and mental fitness.

“We know what we need to do and if we were to settle with all the losses and the punches, it would not be who we are,” Pratt said.