THIBODAUX, La. – Lamar University freshman goalkeeper Rachel Gries made eight saves to shut out the highest-scoring team in the nation as the Cardinals battled to a 0-0 tie with the host Nicholls Colonels in the Southland Conference opener for both squads at the rain-soaked Nicholls Soccer Complex on Friday.
 
Gries, who entered the game ranked seventh in the nation with 50 saves, had to be strong against a Nicholls squad that came into the contest averaging 4.4 goals per game.
 
"It took everything we had to keep them off the board," LU coach Steve Holeman said. "Rachel made some big saves and our defenders did a great job of clearing away some good scoring chances for Nicholls."
 
The start of the game was delayed by 50 minutes because of lightning, and once the game got started, the rain continued to fall.
 
"The field conditions got worse as the game went on," Holeman said. "I thought it was a gutsy performance by our players when the conditions were less than ideal."
 
With only three healthy subs available, the LU starters were counted upon heavily. Eight of LU's 10 field players were in the contest for all 110 minutes.
 
"We fought hard," Holeman said. "I am so proud of the effort that everyone gave today."
 
Nicholls (3-2-1 overall, 0-0-1 Southland) outshot LU 15-5 and had an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal. Nicholls outshot the Cardinals (1-6-1, 0-0-1) 4-0 in overtime.
 
Jordan Mulnix, Samantha Moreno and M.J. Eckart each had one shot on goal for the Cardinals. Roosa Hurmerinta made three saves for Nicholls.
 
The Cardinals return to action at 1 p.m. Sunday when they travel to LSU for the final non-conference game of the season. That match will be streamed live online on the SEC Network+.
 
"We know that will be a tough game," Holeman said of Sunday's clash with the Tigers. "Playing teams like LSU is how we're going to get better."
 
The Cardinals return home for a pair of Southland Conference games next weekend. Northwestern State visits the LU Soccer Complex at 7 p.m. Friday. Central Arkansas provides the opposition at 1 p.m. Sept. 25. For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.