LPJ Sports Report
RUSTON — Louisiana Tech soccer opens its 2026 season Thursday night, hosting Nicholls at Robert Mack Caruthers Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with the match streaming on ESPN+.
The Bulldogs enter the year under first-year head coach Matt Lodge, who compiled a 70-55-21 record over eight seasons at Murray State before taking over in Ruston.
Thursday’s match is the 10th all-time meeting between the programs, and Louisiana Tech has yet to lose one. The Bulldogs hold an 8-0-1 edge in the series, most recently playing Nicholls to a scoreless draw in Thibodaux in 2024. The last meeting in Ruston was considerably more lopsided, an 8-1 Tech win.
Sophomores Peyton Wiseman and Abby Hanton return as the Bulldogs’ only multi-goal scorers from a year ago. Wiseman led the team with six points on two goals and two assists and was one of three freshmen to log at least 1,200 minutes.
Senior Madison Pensom and junior Mary Helen Burford return as captains for 2026. Senior transfer Brielle Buchanan was also named a team captain before the start of the season.
Louisiana Tech finished 4-13-2 last season and 3-4-1 in its final year as a member of Conference USA. The Bulldogs went unbeaten in three of their last four regular-season matches before falling to No. 2 seed Liberty, 4-1, in the CUSA Championship quarterfinals.
Nicholls arrives under third-year head coach Kristy Helmers, who is 6-22-6 since taking over in Thibodaux ahead of the 2024 season. The Colonels went 4-9-5 overall last season and 1-5-4 in Southland Conference play.
Kaylie Harris is back as one of the Colonels’ top scorers after finding the net five times and adding an assist for 11 points, tied for the team lead. Mylea Riggle matched that total with four goals and a team-best three assists.
Goalkeeper Aislinn Wright also returns after starting all 18 matches in 2025. She made 94 saves and factored into three clean sheets, including one full 90-minute shutout.
Live stats will be available at LATechSports.com/stats.
