Southern Miss Closes Non-Conference Play with Win at Nicholls

Thursday, September 10

Thibodaux, La. / Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex

7 p.m.

Southern Miss

3-2-2, 0-0-0

Nicholls

2-3-3, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Southern Miss.	1	1	2
Nicholls	1	0	1

Southern Miss Closes Non-Conference Play with Win at Nicholls

9/10/2026 9:17:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. – Southern Miss soccer (3-2-2, 0-0 SBC) closed non-conference play with a 2-1 road win over Nicholls (2-3-3, 0-0 SLC) Thursday night at Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex. Ava Bynes answered a Nicholls opener in the first half before Olivia Tribolet delivered the game-winner in the 56th minute, sending the Golden Eagles into Sun Belt play unbeaten in their last four matches.

Nicholls applied pressure early and forced Logan McGruder into four saves within the opening 18 minutes. The Colonels eventually broke through in the 26th minute when Alyssa Wheeler put the hosts in front, but the lead lasted only 10 seconds. Maiko Kikuchi found Bynes at the other end, and Bynes finished in the 27th minute to pull Southern Miss level at 1-1.

The Golden Eagles settled into the match following the equalizer and carried the 1-1 score into halftime. Nicholls held a 12-7 advantage in first-half shots, but Southern Miss continued to create chances of its own, including an Ameera Edwards effort that was kept out late in the half.

Southern Miss came out on the front foot after the break. Tribolet hit the crossbar in the 50th minute before making her next opportunity count six minutes later. Vail Wartes provided the assist as Tribolet found the back of the net in the 56th minute to give the Golden Eagles their first lead of the night.

Nicholls pushed for an equalizer down the stretch, but Southern Miss protected the one-goal advantage. McGruder made saves in the 76th and 80th minutes as the Colonels generated several late chances, and the Golden Eagles held firm through the final whistle. McGruder finished with six saves in 90 minutes.

Bynes and Tribolet accounted for Southern Miss' two goals, while Kikuchi and Wartes each recorded an assist. Nicholls finished with a 17-11 advantage in shots and put nine on frame compared to four for Southern Miss, while both sides earned four corner kicks. The Golden Eagles made their opportunities count to pick up their second consecutive victory.

Up Next

Southern Miss opens Sun Belt Conference play against James Madison on Friday, Sept. 18, at 4 p.m. at Marshall Bell Track & Field/Soccer Complex.

For more information and to stay up to date with the Golden Eagles, visit SouthernMiss.com and follow Southern Miss soccer on Twitter (@SouthernMissSOC) and Instagram (@southernmisssoccer).

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