Louisiana Tech controlled much of the action in its 2026 season opener Thursday night but had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Nicholls at Robert Mack Caruthers Field.
The Bulldogs twice took the lead, including a 2-1 advantage with less than 20 minutes remaining, before the Colonels scored the equalizer in the 84th minute.
Tech outshot Nicholls 21-12 and held a 12-0 advantage in corner kicks but could not turn that offensive pressure into a victory.
Sophomore Reagan Roberts put the Bulldogs on the board in the 13th minute, taking a pass from freshman Isabella “Izzy” Wilson and finding the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
It marked the second career goal for Roberts, who has now scored in consecutive season openers. Wilson picked up her first career assist in her collegiate debut, becoming the first Tech freshman since Emma Jones in 2021 to record an assist in her first college match.
Nicholls answered in the 36th minute after a video review resulted in a penalty kick.
Tech’s Maeva Costenaro was initially called for a foul near the edge of the penalty area. Following a review initiated by the referee crew, the foul was ruled to have occurred inside the box. Alyssa Wheeler converted the ensuing penalty kick to tie the match at 1-1.
The Bulldogs finished the opening half with a 12-5 advantage in shots and six corner kicks but went into halftime tied.
Tech regained the lead in the 71st minute when pressure in the attacking end resulted in a Nicholls own goal, putting the Bulldogs ahead 2-1.
The advantage lasted until the 84th minute when Jezlyn Nelson scored from just outside the box to pull the Colonels even at 2-2.
Neither team found the game-winner over the final six minutes.
“We’ve only been together for three weeks and we have 10 newcomers,” Tech coach Matt Lodge said. “We’re grinding out our gears and finding out what fits and where it fits. I’m pleased with the fight and the effort.”
Lodge pointed to several opportunities that narrowly went against the Bulldogs, including two shots cleared off the goal line.
“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves,” Lodge said. “We have to grind it out and create our own luck, and once we get over that first speed bump, the team will take off just fine.”
Tech goalkeeper Cadence Rutledge played all 90 minutes and recorded three saves. Nicholls goalkeeper Aislinn Wright made 10 saves as the Bulldogs consistently applied pressure.
Jane Neil, Mary Helen Burford and Avery Jacobs also played all 90 minutes for Tech.
The draw moved Louisiana Tech to 12-8-3 all-time in season openers and 6-1-1 when opening the season at home. The Bulldogs have scored multiple goals in four of their last five season-opening matches.
Tech remains unbeaten all-time against Nicholls with an 8-0-2 series record.
The Bulldogs continue their season-opening homestand Sunday when they host Southeastern Louisiana at Robert Mack Caruthers Field. First touch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
