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A lot of local sports fans are patiently awaiting the start of college football and understandably so. That’s one of the best, most popular times to be a sports fan in the calendar.
But before we treated to some football, local fans get to enjoy Nicholls soccer, which isn’t too shabby, either.
The Colonels will begin their 2017 season on Friday with a road match at Southern Miss – the first game in a long, grueling non-conference schedule which will take the team across the Southeast.
Second-year coach Mac McBride said the challenging slate will better prepare for Southland play – something the team needs after struggling to just a 3-6-2 record in Southland matches last fall.
“We have a very challenging season ahead of us,” McBride said. “But we also have the potential to really grow from it.”
The Colonels have a lot of new players throughout their depth chart.
McBride said Nicholls lost six starters to graduation after last season, which caused the Colonels to completely rearrange their depth chart throughout the offseason.
The second-year Nicholls coach said the Colonels will mix returning players with members of the 2017 recruiting class to fill the void.
McBride said having a large number of matches on the schedule will help the team develop its skills.
“Losing six starters to graduation is a tough prospect,” McBride said. “But it will open the door to our returning players who have been working hard for their opportunity. With 19 games on the schedule, a lot of players will certainly be getting their chance to gain valuable experience.”
A lot of Nicholls’ non-conference schedule will be spent on the road.
The Colonels open Friday at Southern Miss then play a home match Sunday against Mississippi Valley State.
After that, Nicholls will five-straight non-conference matches from Aug. 25 – Sept. 10 before staying on the road to open Southland play on Sept. 15 at Lamar.
The Colonels play another road match – on Sept. 17 at Southern – before opening the home portion of their Southland on Sept. 22 against Incarnate Word.
Assistant coach Danny Free said being away from Thibodaux to start the season will be a challenge for the team, but will allow the coaching staff to see what the team is made of.
“The upcoming season will be a real test of character for our team spending a lot of time on the road,” Free said. “But knowing how hard our girls have worked during the spring with us and throughout the summer individually, I know they will relish the challenges ahead. The fall season is the best time of year for coaches and players and the competition is why they chose to play in college.”
COLONELS WELCOME NEW RECRUITING CLASS
A lot of the players who will be making their debut as Colonels on Friday land in Thibodaux with decorated resumes.
Nicholls unveiled their 2017 signing class last week – a seven-person group which brings the team’s roster to 26 before the start of the year.
The incoming class features three midfielders, two defenders, a forward and a keeper.
The class has both local, regional and international flare.
Two members of the class are from Louisiana – forward Paola Tejeda and keeper Taylor Benoit, who is an E.D. White product.
Tejeda played for Archbishop Chapelle in Metairie and was twice a First-Team All-District pick in one of the toughest leagues in the state. In the final three seasons of her prep career, Tejeda was the Chipmunks’ team captain.
Benoit is well known to local fans.
She was a five-time All-District goalie for the Lady Cardinals and also an All-State selection – one of the top goalies in the history of the school.
Three other players in the class are from Texas – midfielders Hannah Bodron and Shaun Breaux, as well as defender Kelsey Van Sickle.
All three players earned multiple honors during their prep careers in Texas.
Breaux was named her team’s offensive MVP in 2015 and was named First-Team All-District as a senior in 2016.
Van Sickle earned that honor three times in her prep career and will add a left-footed player to the team’s attack.
Bodron was an All-District performer and team captain – also earning Academic All-District for three-straight seasons.
In Harberger and Bunn, Nicholls soccer spans the globe.
Herberger is Australian – a former five-sport athlete at St. Patrick’s College in Queensland. She also played for West United and Lions during her club career down under.
Bunn is Canadian – a three-sport standout at St. Joan of Arc in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.
She comes with a winning pedigree, having led her team to the Georgian Bay Secondary School Association Championship during her sophomore season at the prep level.
Nicholls match Friday begins at 4 p.m.
The home opener on Sunday starts at 1 p.m.
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