After a season of ups and downs, the Nicholls soccer team is down to their last three games of the season.

Having played Stephen F. Austin University and Sam Houston State University this past weekend, the Colonels split the two games with a loss against SFA (0-4) and a win against SHSU (2-0).

The Colonels faced a stiff test starting the weekend against first place SFA. The Colonels were able to lock a score of 0-0 for the first 43 minutes before SFA sent a torpedo shot past goalkeeper, Taylor Mosley.

In the 57th minute, after a defensive miscue left the center of the field open, SFA took the opportunity to score their second goal. With time still on the clock, the Colonels continued to press their way to the goal. Forward Spencer Valdespino took six shots with one on goal, but in the 68th minute SFA scored their third goal of the game. Within a minute, SFA scored their fourth goal in the 69th minute, pushing the final score to 4-0 in favor of the lumberjacks.

Nicholls bounced back against Sam Houston, beating the third-ranked Bearkats.

Sam Houston has the second best defense in the Southland Conference, but they could not keep the Colonels from scoring two goals.

“We want the shift in the momentum and energy to carry over into this week’s game,” Katherine Kelly, defender, said.

With neither team scoring in the first 43 minutes, Valdespino scored the first goal of the game after shaking off two defenders 24 yards out.
After SHSU received a yellow card, the Colonels were awarded a penalty kick. Valdespino netted the PK that would lead to the two-goal lead and victory of the Colonels.

Valdespino took a total of 12 shots against SHSU, equalizing the total number of shots the Bearkats took as a team. Valdespino has not had a career-high in shots since the 2013 season in a match against SHSU.

With a record of 9-4-1 and three games left in conference, the Colonels have not lost hope they will get to play in postseason.

If the Sam Houston game is any indication as to how the team will perform in the reminder of the schedule, the team may have a chance to make it to postseason game.
“We have to win the important games and keep the mentality to win those games,” Bethany Hollier, defending midfielder, said.
Even in a season filled with injuries, the team has kept a positive spirit.

“Nicholls is in it to win it,” Hollier said.

Having worked more as a team in the SHSU game, the Colonels proved they have what it takes to earn victories; now they must keep the mentality.
The Northwestern State University game this Friday at 4 p.m. will be senior day for the Colonels and a must win if the Colonels want to make the Southland Conference tournament.

“We want to do everything and anything to make it as memorable as we can for our seniors,” said Hollier.

With renewed energy from their win against SHSU, the Colonels are expecting to be sharp mentally and physically in order to get the result they seek.

“The senior game is at 4 p.m.; please be there! Free pictures with me if you are there,” Valdespino said.