Nicholls joined the UIW men’s soccer staff following an outstanding two-year career with the Cardinals. He was named the Lone Star Conference Newcomer of the Year and earned First Team all-conference honors in 2012. He was also named to the LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll. He helped lead the team to LSC and South Central Region titles. As a senior, he was a full-time starter in the midfield for the first NCAA Division I team in school history. Nicholls played soccer at Bath University in England where he was known as a tenacious midfielder. He led the team to a national championship in 2012 and was the first team captain.