Box Score

DUDLEY, Mass.- The Class of 2008 went out in style as the Nichols men's soccer defeated visiting Fitchburg State, 2-0, in its final home game of the 2007 season. The win improves the Bison to 5-10-1 on the year while the Falcons fall to 2-8-2. Senior Ryan Johnston (Woodstock, Conn.) scored one goal for Nichols with the assist going to fellow senior Brian Giaccone (Enfield, Conn.).

Both teams battled back and forth until junior Aaron Kelly (Dover Plains, N.Y.) broke the scoring silence with his first goal of the year with 4:30 left until halftime. Freshman Michael Schell (South Windsor, Conn.) earned the assist as he set up Kelly perfectly inside the box. Sophomore goalkeeper Clayton Johnson (Willamstown, Mass.) helped hold the Falcons at bay, posting four saves in the first half while preserving the shutout with two more stops in the second half.

Fittingly, Johnston and Giaccone added the insurance goal for the Bison with 5:39 left to play. The duo connected on Giaccone's corner kick as Johnston headed it past Fitchburg State keeper Matthew Carey (Stratford, Conn.).

Prior to the game, Head Coach Chris Traina paid tribute to his senior class of 2008 which consists of Johnston, Giaccone, Scott Thomas Gruner (Torrington, Conn.) and Christopher Hess (Westfield, Mass.).

Nichols will play its final two games of the season on the road, starting with Curry on Thursday and Newbury College on Saturday. Fitchburg State will host Mass Maritime on Saturday.