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LA Tech vs. Nicholls box

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RUSTON -- On a hot and humid Sunday afternoon, Louisiana Tech senior Brittany Beddow notched a goal 82 seconds into the match and tacked on an insurance goal in the final 10 minutes to help the Lady Techsters defeat Nicholls State, 4-1, at the Lady Techster Soccer Complex.

With the victory, LA Tech (4-2) extended its home winning streak to six while also remaining unbeaten against Nicholls (1-3-1) in the all-time series.

"Today was a very tough game against a fast, improving squad," head coach Kevin Sherry said. "Nicholls State had speed and a 'never say die' attitude which was tough to play against. Overall, I think our team managed the tempo of the game very well. They mixed it up with a combination of high-tempo, direct pressing style and a more thoughtful possession style.

"Nicholls State is well coached and, as a result, was very organized and tough to break down. They flooded the midfield to stop our passing game so we bypassed midfield and went straight to our forwards and we got a lot of success from it. The fan support was, as always, outstanding and we are so grateful for it."

Beddow made her 64th career start today and quickly brought her career goals total to 17 in the second minute when a set piece by the Techsters was headed out by a Colonel defender, but the midfielder was in the perfect spot to chip the ball in midair which went over the keeper's head.

Later on in the 22nd minute, Tech made it 2-0 off another set piece, but it was much more chaotic. A corner kick was driven into the six and after getting deflected a couple of times, Taylor Douglas headed the ball in traffic which made it across the goal line before the keeper could save it.

Nicholls State was able to cut the deficit in half, however, in the 36th minute. The head referee called a foul on a Techster defender in the penalty box, and Spencer Valdespino made easy work of putting the penalty shot into the back of the net.

With LA Tech clinging to a one-goal advantage, the Colonels put the pressure on early in the second period, spending a lot of action in their attacking third, but the back line play of players like Moriah Phillips, Makenna Johnson and Madison Doll was able to keep them at bay.

In the 51st minute, Nicholls nearly came up with the equalizer, but the goal was nullified as the striker was whistled for offside. Six minutes later, LA Tech thought they had increased its lead by two, but the goal was called off as well due to an offside call.

With mass substitutions taking place for both squads due to the heat, the score remained 2-1 in favor of Tech until Kathryn Sloan was able to get around her man-marked defender and find a small gap to rifle a shot into the left corner. It marked the junior's 20th career goal.

Three minutes later, Beddow put the match out of reach as she charged up the middle to get to a spot inside the six where she received a cross from Sloan and one-touched the ball with her right foot into the lower left corner. It marked the first multi-goal game for the Keller, Texas native.

It was a physical match from beginning to end with 25 fouls and three yellow cards combined.

LA Tech ended up with an 18-6 shot advantage. Goalkeeper Kylee Seto was credited with two saves in the victory.

LA Tech will hit the road next weekend when they play at Murray State on Friday, Sept. 11 at 3 p.m.

For all the latest in LA Tech Soccer, follow them on Twitter (@LATechSOC), Instagram (@LouisianaTechSoccer) and Facebook (LATechSoccer) or visit the official website at LATechSports.com.

POST-GAME NOTES

- LA Tech starting XI -- Kylee Seto, Makenna Johnson, Madison Doll, Brittany Beddow, Kathryn Sloan, Laura LeFevour, Moriah Phillips, Mylene Roy-Ouellet, Haley Laque, Donya Salomon-Ali and Taylor Douglas.
- Senior Brittany Beddow made her team-leading 64th career start. That ties for the fifth most in program history (Leslie Buck, 2005-08).
- With the 4-1 victory, LA Tech now has a six-match home winning streak.
- LA Tech has now won 11 of the its last 12 home matches.
- With the victory, LA Tech now leads the all-time series over Nicholls State, 5-0.
- In all five meetings with Nicholls State, LA Tech has scored at least four goals.
- Kathryn Sloan recorded her 20th goal of her career, becoming just the fifth Lady Techster in program history to eclipse 20 goals.
- Kathryn Sloan has had six games in her career where she has registered a goal and an assist.
- For the second straight match, Taylor Douglas registered a header goal.
- Brittany Beddow registered multiple goals for the first time in her career. The senior now has 18 in her career which is the sixth most in school history.
- Brittany Beddow now has 53 points in her career, moving her into fourth all-time.