Colonel soccer wins first Southland Conference game of the season

An important weekend series against two Southland Conference opponents at home,
Nicholls went 1-1.

The Colonels fell to the University of the Incarnate Word 4-0 on Friday but rebounded to
win Sunday’s match against Abilene Christian University by a score of 2-1.

Sunday’s victory was the first conference victory for the Colonels on the season. Nicholls moved to 4-6 on the season and 1-2 in conference play.

In Friday's match versus Incarnate Word, the Colonels were readily handled from start to
finish. Incarnate Word scored its first goal in the 24th minute and added another one four
minutes later to make the score 2-0 at halftime. Incarnate Word added two more goals in the
second half.

Incarnate Word outshot the Colonels 25-9 on the game, including a 12-2 advantage on
shots in the first half. They also bested Nicholls in shots on goal for the game 9-3. Midfielder

Mie Elvestad led the Colonels with three shots on the game. Midfielder Emily Werenskiold led
the team with two shots on goal. Goalkeeper Taylor Benoit recorded five saves.

Sunday's game had much different results for the Colonels as they won their first
conference game of the year against Abilene Christian. In a game delayed by rain for about an
hour during the first half, Nicholls was able to keep focus and emerge victorious even with the
unplanned break from play.

“Rain delays are always hard, to be fair. A lot of the girls went and spent time with their
family, but they were anxious to get back out there. Obviously you’re talking to the staff and
referred to go back out,” said assistant coach Danny Free. “They did a good job and in all
fairness to them, they didn't lose concentration after the break.”

After a tightly contested first half that remained scoreless at halftime, the Colonels were
able to pull ahead with a 54th minute goal by midfielder Haylee Atwell. Nicholls added a second
goal on a strike by Emily Werenskiold in the 67th minute to make the score 2-0. Abilene
Christian was able add a score in the 84th minute to make the final score 2-1. The players were
excited to get their first conference win of the season.

“It feels awesome. It feels good to be on this side of the win,” said goalkeeper Taylor
Benoit.

“It's awesome, it's a great feeling,” said midfielder Haylee Atwell. “We're just really
excited.”

Weekend Statistics (vs. Incarnate Word and vs. Abilene Christian):
GK #1 Taylor Benoit: 14 saves, 5 goals allowed
#5 Laiche, Blaire: 2 shots
#8 Atwell, Haylee: 5 shots, 2 shots on goal, 1 goal
#10 Curteis, Francesca: 1 assist
#12 Werenskiold, Emily: 3 shots, 3 shots on goal, 1 goal
#25 Bodron, Hannah: 1 shot, 1 assist
#32 Elvestad, Mie: 5 shots, 1 shot on goal