Thursday, August 13
Ruston, La.
7 p.m.
Louisiana Tech University
0-0-1, 0-0-0
2
vs
2
Nicholls
0-0-1, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholls | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Louisiana Tech | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Photo by: Cynthia Wiseman
Soccer ‘Dogs Battle Nicholls to 2-2 Draw in Season Opener
8/13/2026 10:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Reagan Roberts netted the first goal of the season for the second-straight year on her home pitch.
RUSTON — Louisiana Tech opened the 2026 season with a 2-2 draw against Nicholls on Thursday night at Robert Mack Caruthers Field.
The Bulldogs controlled much of the match offensively, outshooting the Colonels 21-12 and holding a 12-0 advantage in corner kicks. LA Tech showed dominance in taking chances in their attacking end, having outshot the Colonels 12-5 in the first half and 9-7 in the second half. The 'Dogs also split with six corner set pieces in each half.
Louisiana Tech struck first in the 13th minute when sophomore forward Reagan Roberts found the back of the net off an assist from Isabella Wilson, giving the Bulldogs an early 1-0 advantage. It was Roberts' second career goal scored, marking consecutive season scoring in the season opener, and the first career assist registered for Wilson.
Nicholls answered in the 36th minute when Alyssa Wheeler converted a penalty kick to even the match at 1-1 heading into halftime. Maeva Costenaro fouled a Nicholls forward around the edge of the box, leading to a video review initiatied by the referee crew. Upon review of the play, it was ruled a foul in the box and the Colonels were awarded the penalty.
The Bulldogs then regained the lead in the 71st minute on an own goal, putting Louisiana Tech ahead 2-1 with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Nicholls responded once again, with Jezlyn Nelson scoring from just outside the box in the 84th minute to bring the match level at 2-2. Neither team could find a decisive goal during the final six minutes, sending the season opener to a draw.
Goalkeeper Cadence Rutledge played all 90 minutes for Louisiana Tech and recorded three saves, while Nicholls goalkeeper Aislinn Wright made 10 saves to keep the Colonels within striking distance. Jane Neil, Mary Helen Burford and Avery Jacobs also saw the pitch for the full 90.
The Bulldogs continue their season-opening homestand on Sunday, August 16 when they host the Southeastern Lions at The Mack. First touch is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.
Notables
Quotables
Head Coach Matt Lodge:
"It's the first game of the season—we've only been together for three weeks and we have 10 newcomers. We're grinding out our gears and finding out what fits and where it fits. I'm pleased with the fight and the effort. Unfortunately, when you're not used to winning, a lot of things don't go your way and it's down to the people in the locker room that need to change that, create their own look. We had two cleared off the line, a penalty get overturned—we can't feel sorry for ourselves. We have to grind it out and create our own look, and once we get over that first speed bump, the team will take off just fine."
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).
The Bulldogs controlled much of the match offensively, outshooting the Colonels 21-12 and holding a 12-0 advantage in corner kicks. LA Tech showed dominance in taking chances in their attacking end, having outshot the Colonels 12-5 in the first half and 9-7 in the second half. The 'Dogs also split with six corner set pieces in each half.
Louisiana Tech struck first in the 13th minute when sophomore forward Reagan Roberts found the back of the net off an assist from Isabella Wilson, giving the Bulldogs an early 1-0 advantage. It was Roberts' second career goal scored, marking consecutive season scoring in the season opener, and the first career assist registered for Wilson.
Nicholls answered in the 36th minute when Alyssa Wheeler converted a penalty kick to even the match at 1-1 heading into halftime. Maeva Costenaro fouled a Nicholls forward around the edge of the box, leading to a video review initiatied by the referee crew. Upon review of the play, it was ruled a foul in the box and the Colonels were awarded the penalty.
The Bulldogs then regained the lead in the 71st minute on an own goal, putting Louisiana Tech ahead 2-1 with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Nicholls responded once again, with Jezlyn Nelson scoring from just outside the box in the 84th minute to bring the match level at 2-2. Neither team could find a decisive goal during the final six minutes, sending the season opener to a draw.
Goalkeeper Cadence Rutledge played all 90 minutes for Louisiana Tech and recorded three saves, while Nicholls goalkeeper Aislinn Wright made 10 saves to keep the Colonels within striking distance. Jane Neil, Mary Helen Burford and Avery Jacobs also saw the pitch for the full 90.
The Bulldogs continue their season-opening homestand on Sunday, August 16 when they host the Southeastern Lions at The Mack. First touch is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.
Notables
- Thursday's result marked just the second time the two sides ended in a draw, with the series record moving to 8-0-2 in favor of Louisiana Tech
- The Bulldogs are now 12-8-3 all-time in season openers and 6-1-1 when opening the season on their home pitch
- LA Tech has scored multiple goals in four of their last five season-opening matches
- Izzy Wilson is the first freshman since Emma Jones in 2021 to record an assist in their collegiate debut
Quotables
Head Coach Matt Lodge:
"It's the first game of the season—we've only been together for three weeks and we have 10 newcomers. We're grinding out our gears and finding out what fits and where it fits. I'm pleased with the fight and the effort. Unfortunately, when you're not used to winning, a lot of things don't go your way and it's down to the people in the locker room that need to change that, create their own look. We had two cleared off the line, a penalty get overturned—we can't feel sorry for ourselves. We have to grind it out and create our own look, and once we get over that first speed bump, the team will take off just fine."
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
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder/Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
NIC
LAT
Goals
2
2
Shots
12
21
Shots on Goal
5
11
Saves
10
3
Corners
0
12
Fouls
16
8
Scoring Plays
Reagan Roberts (1)
Assisted By: Isabella Wilson
GOAL by LAT Roberts, Reagan Assist by Wilson, Isabella.
12:16
Alyssa Wheeler
NIC Alyssa Wheeler PENALTY KICK GOAL.
35:06
0
GOAL by LAT TEAM.
70:43
Jezlyn Nelson (1)
GOAL by NIC Nelson, Jezlyn.
83:55
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
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