Expectations high for Nicholls soccer, even after slow start

The Nicholls soccer team has high hopes for success in 2018.

But the first chapter of the journey didn’t go exactly the way the Colonels had planned.

Nicholls lost 3-0 against North Dakota in the season opener, which was played Friday afternoon in Thibodaux.

Two days later, Nicholls showed signs of their promise, playing better, but losing a close one against Grambling 2-1. 

The Colonels next take the pitch Friday at Mississippi Valley State and coach Mac McBride said he will be closely following the strides his team makes leading up to Southland Conference competition.

In their two matches this past week, there was a little bit of good and bad for Nicholls.

In the opener against North Dakota, the Colonels were victim of a first-round knockout.

Nicholls fell behind for the duration in the first minute of the match on a goal by Cassie Giddings, which was assisted by Mimi Eiden.

Eiden and North Dakota struck again just seven minutes later to all-but put away the match for good.

In the ninth minute, Eiden sent a long ball over the defense onto the receiving foot of Katie Moller, who maneuvered through and sent a shot into the back of the net to go ahead 2-0 — a lead which held through halftime.

With the early deficit, Nicholls was behind the 8-ball in their quest for victory, but the Colonels did compete.

Nicholls was only out-shot 15-12 in the match and 7-5 in shots on goal. The Colonels had more corner kicks than North Dakota (5-3) and possession was about equal.

But Nicholls just couldn’t take advantage of its scoring chances.

After North Dakota went ahead 3-0 early in the second half on a goal from Kennedy Kidd, Nicholls found steam, firing several of their shots in the final minutes, including one from Haylee Atwell in the 86th minute, which ricocheted off the post and back into play — the best chance of the game for Nicholls to score.

EXPECTATIONS BIG FOR NICHOLLS

The first weekend aside, the Colonels have high hopes for the season — even if not given respect by peers.

The Colonels were picked to finish 11th in the Southland Conference — a mark which McBride said motivates the team as they begin their journey through the season.

In net, Nicholls has several quality options, but Roosa Hurmerinta got the start on opening day.

If Hurmerinta isn’t the starter, Nicholls may also rely on Taylor Benoit or Jade Gallaher to start games.

The coaching staff said the goalies will need to become vocal leaders in 2018 after the team lost a few experienced defenders to graduation in the 2017 season.

“That’s what we’ve asked them to do as well. They need to start taking control of that,” assistant coach Danny Free said of the keepers. “Even though we have returners coming back in the back four, they’ve not necessarily played alongside each other.”

Plugging in those holes defensively may define Nicholls’ season.

The Colonels lost both of their center backs from last year, but return several talented players, though youthful.

McBride said playing mistake-free in that area will be key.

“It’s the youngest functional group we’ve got by a good degree and that’s a tough position to come into as a new player,” McBride said. “It’s a little bit easier further up the field. If you make a mistake, they still have to go 100 yards to get to goal. Twenty yards from goal — 30 yards from goal — if you make a mistake, there’s a little bit more pressure.”

Once with the ball, Nicholls has players who are able to keep it in possession for a while.

Atwell is one of the team’s top returnees, as is sophomore Hannah Bodron and Francesca Curteis.

The Colonels also return strikers Kristy Helmers, while also welcoming freshman Maddie Robichaux, who is expected to play a role, as well.

“We are significantly bigger and taller than we were last year,” McBride said. “We had to buy new uniforms. I think there’s enough creativity in the team that we should be a threat in open play, but no question from set pieces, I think we can cause problems to teams.”

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