COMMERCE, Texas — Nicholls’ first trip to the Southland Conference Tournament since 2014 ended Tuesday afternoon, as fourth-seeded UIW used its speed to beat the fifth-seeded Colonels 4-0 in the opening round.
Angelina Rispone fired the game’s first shot three minutes in, but the Cardinals answered with the next nine shots. Zaiba Ishaque broke behind the Nicholls back line for the opener at 22:24, and UIW doubled the lead early in the second half when a long launch from goalkeeper Hannah Alexander started a break that Peri Olmo finished off with a feed to Louise Coates. Julia Watson added a third goal from a tight angle in the 59th minute, and Morgan Heintz capped the scoring in the 84th.
UIW outshot Nicholls 19-12. Aislinn Wright made five saves in goal for the Colonels. Rispone, SLC Freshman of the Year Jezlyn Nelson, Kaylie Harris and Gentry Watrous each had two shots.
Nicholls finishes 6-7-6 overall and 4-3-3 in league play. That’s the most wins by a Colonel team since 2017 and the most Southland victories since 2014. UIW moves to 9-8-3.
Photo: Nicholls Athletics
