Monies to help purchase Taser packages, surveillance equipment, training and pay OT
September 14, 2010
Amery Arcement
September 16, 2010
It’s football season on the Nicholls State campus – in more ways than one. While yes, the Colonels’ football team has kicked off its season under first-year coach Charlie Stubbs, so too has the “fútbol” team, AKA the soccer team.
And with most of the watching eyes focusing on the pigskin and the gridiron, it’s the soccer team that has collected early success in the win/loss column, as the school’s female footballers have rolled to a strong start to the season.
“We’re very excited. Even though it might be a little hotter [out here] than we’d like, everyone has been excited to come to practice every day,” junior midfielder Sam Etherington said. “Because we know that every day we’re getting better and we’re closer to a game every day, so we want to just keep going and keep that record going.”
The Colonels finished last season with 4-15-1 record.
But with a strong core of returnees from that team, Nicholls needed just five games to match their 2009 win total, rolling to a 4-0-1 start.
Leading the rebuilding process is second-year coach Dylan Harrison, who said the biggest difference in his team this year is the confidence and the mindset of knowing they are headed in the right direction.
“I think it has all kind of come from the belief that what we’re doing in practice is going to pay off,” Harrison said. “If we play the way we’re capable of, good things are going to happen. They’ve bought into that, and it’s paid off for our team so far.”
One of the strengths of the Colonels’ attack is a strong offensive unit that averages more than three goals per game.
Leading that group is senior forward Kaity Mattsson, who is the Colonels’ all-time leader in goals scored and career points. This season hasn’t been any different for the senior, as she has scored eight goals in the team’s first five games to start the year.
But Mattsson said the group has ultimately been successful because of its balance. Excluding Mattsson, eight other Colonels had put the ball in the net in the team’s first five games of the season.
“We’re all just playing well together,” she said. “People are complimenting each other a lot more this year. I just think that we’re clicking.”
Junior goalkeeper Molly Mersereau agreed and said she has enjoyed every second of watching her offense take the spotlight.
“It’s really fun to watch for me being in the back, being in the goal,” she said. “We’re finally getting things together the way we want to. Watching the goal we scored in our game against ULM, that was probably the most excited I’ve ever been in my life. I was hopping around like crazy.”
But with the Colonels controlling possession in their quest to put the ball into the back of the net, Nicholls’ defense, anchored by Mersereau has also been able to shine.
Nicholls started the season having allowed just three goals in their first five games of the season, including three shutouts.
And when the opponent is able to get through the backline, they still have to face the keeper, who is coming off a 139-save season in 2009.
“We’ve been able to keep some clean sheets, instead of letting some of the simple balls through,” Mersereau said. “But it starts from the back and being stronger up there. It shows more up top, because we’re able to have the ball more and score more goals, but because of that, we’re also able to keep more balls out of the net.”
The preseason success is nice, but conference success would be even nicer. Nicholls didn’t win a single Southland Conference game in Harrison’s first season.
The coach said he’s looking for that to change this time around because of the close-knit family-like atmosphere he’s built into the Nicholls’ team.
“We’re able to have a good time here, but once we step onto the field, the expectations are high,” Harrison said. “We have people not only from all over the states, but from different countries as well. And they’re all here for a reason – it seems like so far, they’re all here for the right reasons, too. This is a fun group to be around.”
Nicholls State goalkeeper Molly Mersereau dives for a save during a game last season. Mersereau is one of the driving forces behind the team’s fast start this season. COURTESY PHOTO
