Willie Francis
November 7, 2013
Gertrude Frances Norris
November 13, 2013
For the first time in school history, Nicholls has the best soccer player in the Southland Conference.
The conference announced this week that Colonels sophomore forward Spencer Valdespino has been named the 2013 Southland Conference Women’s Soccer Player of the Year.
Valdespino earned the award after leading Nicholls to its best season in school history (12-6-2 record). She also was the leading goal scorer in the Southland with 16 goals, including six game-winners.
“This is an amazing accomplishment for Spencer and one she has spent the better part of a year working towards,” Nicholls soccer coach Dylan Harrison said. “We knew that she had the ability to be a dominant player in this league, but what she accomplished this season is far beyond anything we could have imagined.”
From the opening match of the season, Valdespino was a terror for opponents.
In addition to the goals, Valdespino has been one of the best overall players in the league throughout the year. The Florida native led the league in points (37) and also was No. 8 in the league in assists (5).
Valdespino’s success has also virtually rewritten the Colonels’ record book. She is now already Nicholls’ all-time leader in game-winning goals (8). He goal scoring output for this year was also a Nicholls record for a single season.
She earned those records by pressuring opponents with regularity. Valdespino finished the 2013 regular season with three multi-goal games – including a hat trick performance against McNeese State on Sept. 30. She also scored in six-straight matches from Aug. 30 – Sept. 22. After that mark was snapped, Valdespino finished the year hot, scoring in each of the final four matches of the Colonels’ regular season.
Harrison said his sophomore’s success is a testament to hard work and dedication to the sport. Valdespino scored 5 goals and had 5 assists last year as a true freshman. Harrison said her giant leap forward was because of her commitment to the game.
“This is a credit to her hard work and determination,” Harrison said. “I know that this is an honor she will cherish.”
But throughout the year, Vandespino has said that the reason for her success is the work of her teammates. She’s routinely credited their efforts for her ability to consistently be open and make plays.
“Just having the team I have behind me, I don’t think I’d have had the success I’ve had with any other team in the league or anywhere else,” Valdespino told the Tri-Parish Times last month. “We have chemistry and I click with all of them. They know that if they get me the ball, I’m going to work my tail off.”
A few of the players Valdespino mentioned also got some love from the league this week.
In addition to being named the Player of the Year, Valdespino was also named First-Team All-Southland Conference.
She joins two of her teammates on the league’s postseason team. Sophomore midfielder Jess Coates and senior midfielder Melissa Pestalozzi were also named to the award’s list, earning Honorable Mention honors.
The awards are voted for by the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
COLONELS’ SEASON ENDS IN SOUTHLAND TOURNAMENT
Valdespino’s prowess wasn’t enough to surge the Colonels into the NCAA Tournament.
Nicholls advanced to the Southland Conference Soccer Tournament as the league’s No. 4 seed.
But the Colonels’ season ended in disappointment when No. 5 Sam Houston State topped Nicholls 1-0 in the opening game of the tournament – a loss that ends the Colonels’ season.
The two teams played close throughout the duration of the match. But the Bearkats got the match’s lone goal in the second half.
Nicholls soccer player Spencer Valdespino makes a push down the field during a game this season. The Southland Conference honored Valdespino this week and named her the Southland Conference Player of the Year.
