The Nicholls women’s soccer team started off their season with a 3-1 win over the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The Ragin’ Cajuns scored early in the first half, but the Colonels were able to counter with three consecutive goals throughout the rest of the game.

“We had three different scorers, and that’s something that’s really good for us” said Jess Coates, one of the team’s star midfielders.

The three goals were scored by Emily Werenskiold, Francesca Curteis, and Mie Elvestad with Hannah Savoie also racking up two assists of her own.

New soccer head coach Michael McBride said that the bench is the best he’s seen in his 18 years of coaching.

“Our work without the ball was very pleasing, but we can do even better,” McBride said. “We have to continue to work hard and practice, work on one game at a time.”

Support seemed to play a large role in the Colonel’s first win of the season, but the team’s performance on the field is ultimately what gave them the victory.

“When the baseball team and the football players came, we started playing a lot better,” McBride said. “The fans were brilliant. That’s Colonel pride.”

Coates said, “Everybody wanted to be here. We wanted to win for everybody. We really emphasized what we can do, it really is us against the world.”

With an early win now under their belt, the Colonels have shifted their attention to the rest of the season ahead of them.

“We still need to tidy up the small things,” said Coates, reflecting on how the team could improve further.