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Mississippi Valley State University Athletics

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Kristien Lindo receives kick from McKenize McCarthy
1
Mississippi Valley State MVSU (0-0-1, 0-0-0)
1
Nicholls NICH (1-0-0, 0-0-0)
Mississippi Valley State MVSU
(0-0-1, 0-0-0)
1
Final
1
Nicholls NICH
(1-0-0, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 OT 3 F
Mississippi Valley State MVSU 1 0 0 0 0 1
Nicholls NICH 0 1 0 0 0 1

Game Recap: Soccer |

Valley holds off Colonels’ charge in draw

MATTHEWS, La. – For 110 minutes, through lightning delays and rainy weather, the Mississippi Valley State soccer team withstood 34 shots from the Nicholls State Colonels Saturday (Aug. 24). Only one of those shots made it into the net, and a penalty kick goal by Shay McCool (Chino, Calif.) secured a 1-1 tie. 

"I'm very proud of the mental toughness our players showed on the field." Assistant coach Franklyn Davies said. "The first game got the nerves of a young team with four freshmen starters. To come back against the same opponents and had a lead throughout the first half showed how tough and determined this team is." 

McCool's first collegiate goal came in the 33rd minute after referee Robert Mann awarded the penalty to the Devilettes (0-1-1) following a foul by the Colonels' (1-0-1) Karina Gonzalez. The graduate of Don Antonio Lugo High School pushed it past Nicholls' Roosa Hurmerinta for a 1-0 Valley lead. 

"Scoring my first collegiate goal felt surreal." McCool said. "Putting the ball in the back of the net was an amazing feeling that I will not forget, and to do it all with my family coming down to see me play my first college games make it even better!" 

The Devilettes defense took over from there. They kept 14 shots out of the net in the first half, with six saves from goalkeeper McKenzie McCarthy (Olive Branch, Miss.). Nicholls kept firing with 17 more shots in the second half. In the 65th minute, Blaire Laiche broke through McCarthy's stone wall to knot the score at one. 

The Colonels continued to fire away as they looked to sweep the weekend, but McCarthy's 15 saves and gritty defensive play held them in check. The saves mark a new career high for the keeper, and the most for a Valley goalie in a game since Rita Gyasi against Little Rock on September 9, 2016. 

Outside of McCool's goal, the offense was quietly efficient. Erika Smith (Marshall, Va.) and Ronia Pierre-Louis (Pickering, Ont., Can.) added shots on goal. Three of the four shots the Devilettes struck required the effort of the goalkeeper. 

Mississippi Valley State will look to earn its first win Tuesday (Aug. 27) against the Mississippi University for Women. Kick off is at 7 p.m. in Columbus. 

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