Box Score Box Score
Dudley, Mass.- The Nichols field hockey team earned a 7-1 victory over Westfield State in non-conference action at Vendetti Field on Thursday evening. Freshman Samantha Lacerra (Watertown, Mass.) tallied three goals in the win while fellow freshman Amber Cottrell (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.) posted two goals and three assists. The Bison are now 8-2 on the year, their most wins since the 2001 season. The Owls drop below .500 with the loss as they are now 5-6 on the year.
Sophomore Sara Bailey (Athol, Mass.) scored her 11th goal of the season 2:23 into the game, unassisted. Cottrell made it a 2-0 game just 3:20 later with her goal off a penalty corner. Lacerra went on to score back-to-back goals to push Nichols lead to four while freshman Eileen Clinton (Londonderry, N.H.) made it a 5-0 contest before the end of the half.
Westfield State turned things around in the second half, out-shooting the Bison 7-4 but it was too little too late. Despite registering just four shots in the half, Nichols made good on two of its attempts to extend its lead out to 7-0. Cottrell and Lacerra scored the goals while senior Megan Wolski (Plymouth, Mass.) tallied the Owls lone goal of the evening, unassisted, with 20 minutes left in the game.
Senior Stephanie Magni (Newton, Mass.) recorded two defensive saves for the Bison while junior Brittany Case (Cambridge, N.Y) had one. In goal, sophomore MaryKate Bednarz (Springfield, Mass.) posted seven saves, including six in the second half. Sophomore Libby Bouley (North Brookfield, Mass.) made five saves on the night.
Nichols will return to action this Saturday when it hosts Endicott at 10 a.m.
