Thursday, August 13
Ruston, La.
7 p.m.
Louisiana Tech University
vs
Nicholls
Photo by: Cynthia Wiseman
Preview: LA Tech vs. Nicholls
8/12/2026 5:26:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Bulldogs open the 2026 season against the Colonels on their home pitch.
RUSTON – Louisiana Tech soccer is set and prepared for their 2026 season opener, hosting the Nicholls Colonels on Thursday, August 13 at Robert Mack Caruthers Field in Ruston. First touch of the match is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
Game Information
Date: Thursday, Aug. 13
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Where: Ruston, La.
Venue: Robert Mack Caruthers Field
Watch: ESPN+
Stats: LATechSports.com/stats
Series History: Tech leads 8-0-1
The Soccer 'Dogs enter the season under first-year head coach Matt Lodge, who boasts a 70-55-21 career record during his eight-year tenure leading the Murray State Racers.
Thursday's fixture marks the 10th all-time meeting with Nicholls, with LA Tech unbeaten against Nicholls in all nine contests including a scoreless draw in their previous matchup in Thibodaux in 2024. The last time the two sides faced off in Ruston, the Bulldogs dominated the pitch with an 8-1 victory.
Sophomores Peyton Wiseman and Abby Hanton return as two of Tech's lone multi-goal scorers from 2025. Wiseman also led the team with 6 points off of two goals and a pair of assists and was one of three freshmen to play at least 1,200 on-field minutes.
Senior Madison Pensom and junior Mary Helen Burford return to captain the Bulldogs for the 2026 season, along with senior transfer Brielle Buchanan being named a team captain prior to the start of the year.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 4-13-2 mark in 2025 and going 3-4-1 in their final season as members of Conference USA. LA Tech went unbeaten in three of their final four regular season matches before falling to No. 2 seed Liberty, 4-1, in the quarterfinal round of the CUSA Championship.
Nicholls is led by third-year head coach Kristy Helmers, who holds a 6-22-6 record since arriving to Thibodaux ahead of the 2024 season. The Colonels ended the 2025 year with a 4-9-5 overall mark and a 1-5-4 record in Southland play.
Kaylie Harris returns as one of Nicholls' top goal scorers from last year, finding the back of the net five times and dishing one assist for 11 total points, which was also tied for the team lead in 2025. Mylea Riggle, the other Colonel with 11 points last season, led the team with three assists and added four goals as one of Nicholls' top returners. Returning in goal is Aislinn Wright, who started in all 18 games in 2025 as the Nicholls keeper, registered 94 saves in 18 starts while playing a role in three clean sheets, one of which she played the full 90.
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources. Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes. Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand. You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents. By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way. Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today. You bark. We bark. Louder together.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Soccer, follow us on X (@LATechSOC), Instagram (@LATechSoccer), and Facebook (LATechSoccer).
Game Information
Date: Thursday, Aug. 13
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Where: Ruston, La.
Venue: Robert Mack Caruthers Field
Watch: ESPN+
Stats: LATechSports.com/stats
Series History: Tech leads 8-0-1
The Soccer 'Dogs enter the season under first-year head coach Matt Lodge, who boasts a 70-55-21 career record during his eight-year tenure leading the Murray State Racers.
Thursday's fixture marks the 10th all-time meeting with Nicholls, with LA Tech unbeaten against Nicholls in all nine contests including a scoreless draw in their previous matchup in Thibodaux in 2024. The last time the two sides faced off in Ruston, the Bulldogs dominated the pitch with an 8-1 victory.
Sophomores Peyton Wiseman and Abby Hanton return as two of Tech's lone multi-goal scorers from 2025. Wiseman also led the team with 6 points off of two goals and a pair of assists and was one of three freshmen to play at least 1,200 on-field minutes.
Senior Madison Pensom and junior Mary Helen Burford return to captain the Bulldogs for the 2026 season, along with senior transfer Brielle Buchanan being named a team captain prior to the start of the year.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 4-13-2 mark in 2025 and going 3-4-1 in their final season as members of Conference USA. LA Tech went unbeaten in three of their final four regular season matches before falling to No. 2 seed Liberty, 4-1, in the quarterfinal round of the CUSA Championship.
Nicholls is led by third-year head coach Kristy Helmers, who holds a 6-22-6 record since arriving to Thibodaux ahead of the 2024 season. The Colonels ended the 2025 year with a 4-9-5 overall mark and a 1-5-4 record in Southland play.
Kaylie Harris returns as one of Nicholls' top goal scorers from last year, finding the back of the net five times and dishing one assist for 11 total points, which was also tied for the team lead in 2025. Mylea Riggle, the other Colonel with 11 points last season, led the team with three assists and added four goals as one of Nicholls' top returners. Returning in goal is Aislinn Wright, who started in all 18 games in 2025 as the Nicholls keeper, registered 94 saves in 18 starts while playing a role in three clean sheets, one of which she played the full 90.
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources. Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes. Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand. You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents. By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way. Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today. You bark. We bark. Louder together.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Soccer, follow us on X (@LATechSOC), Instagram (@LATechSoccer), and Facebook (LATechSoccer).
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's SoccerTuesday, September 23
Saturday, August 23
Tuesday, August 19
Tuesday, August 19
