HAMMOND, La. – Spencer Valdespino guided the Nicholls State University women's soccer team to a 4-2 victory over Southeastern Louisiana University on Halloween night at the Southeastern Soccer Complex.
 
Last season the Colonels earned their first ever tie against the Lions (12-6, 5-5 SLC), bringing their all-time record to 0-22-1. On Friday Nicholls (9-8, 5-5 SLC) went a step further, coming away with the first victory over Southeastern La. in program history.
 
The Colonels grabbed the lead early, scoring in the 14^th minute when Valdespino floated a shot over goalie Casey Jeanfreau's outstretched arms. Just three minutes later the Lions responded with a goal of their own as Kayla Vera took a pass from Chelsea Villaescusa and snuck it off the post into the bottom corner of the net. With less than a minute to go in the half, Valdespino scored with a curving shot that snuck past Jeafreau, giving Nicholls the halftime lead.
 
In the second period, Valdespino picked up where she left off. Jess Coates chipped a pass to Hannah Savoie who found Valdespino for a score in the 53^rd minute. Less than a minute later, Valdespino found the net again on an unassisted goal, giving the Colonels a 4-1 lead. In the 62^nd minute, Kayla Vera scored off of a pass from Maggie Ramsey to bring the Lions within two, but they would come no closer.
 
Valdespino had all four scores for Nicholls, tying the school record for most goals in a game and setting the school record for most goals against a Southland Conference opponent. Kaity Mattsson was the last Colonel to complete the feat, scoring four goals against Alcorn State in 2010.
 
The victory brings Nicholls into a three-way tie for fourth among the teams eligible for conference play, with six spots available in the tournament. A Colonel win on Sunday or a loss by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (either Friday or Sunday) secures Nicholls a seat at the tournament.
 
Valdespino had been relatively quiet this year in comparison to her 2013 performance, when she was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year, scoring 16 goals and adding five assists in her sophomore campaign. Through the Colonels' first 16 games this season Valdespino had just five goals and one assist, but came alive on Friday night just when her team needed her most.
 
Valdespino dominated the offensive attack for the Colonels on Friday, while Savoie and Coates each added an assist on the night.
 
Vera led the Lions offensively, scoring both goals in the match, while Ramsey led the team with two assists.


Nicholls goalkeeper Taylor Mosley (5-7) faced nine shots in the match, earning seven saves while allowing two goals through 77 minutes of play. Josie Stiles earned one save with no goals allowed in 13 minutes on the pitch.
 
Jeanfreau was in the net for Southeastern La., facing 13 shots with four saves and four goals allowed in the contest.
 
The Colonels will head to Huntsville, Texas to face the Bearkats of Sam Houston State University at 1 p.m. on Sunday in the final game of the regular season.
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com to find live stats and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls women's soccer.