SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (Nov. 20) – The Nichols College women's ice hockey team erupted for three goals in the third period to defeat St. Michael's College, 6-3, in an ECAC East game at Cairns Arena Friday night. Nichols picks up its first win on the young season to improve to 1-3-0 overall and in conference action, while the Purple Knights dip to 1-4-0 overall and in league play.

Sophomore Mandy Manopla (West Palm Beach, Fla.) led the Bison with a pair of goals and two assists, while first year Melanie Spears (Woburn, Mass.) made 30 saves to earn her first collegiate win between the pipes.

Nichols took the lead late in the second half on a goal from Manopla with help from classmate Courtney Carey (Belmont, Mass.). The Bison followed up with a second goal with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first period to take a two-goal lead. Freshman Lauren Lepore (Arlington, Mass.) found classmate Mary Fehr (Leamington, Ontario) in scoring position for Fehr's first collegiate goal.

The Bison notched an early second-period goal to improve to a three-goal lead when sophomore Hannah Tardif (Laconia, N.H.) netted her third goal of the season on a pass from Manopla. The Purple Knights quickly tied the game in the last six minutes of the second period. Senior co-captain Meghan Sweezey found the back of the net by deflecting a puck from sophomore Kiera Nelligan. Sophomore Casey Yelton notched her first collegiate goal, assisted by classmate Kelly McDonald and freshman Laura Levin.

Tying the game at three with less than a minute and a half remaining in the period was senior Desiree Biron, with help from senior Molly DiMasi and junior Emily Paquin.

The third period was an even battle until the 15^th minute when Manopla took a shot from the blue line, placing it in the upper left hand corner of the net to give the Bison the lead. That was the momentum the Bison needed, as they scored two more goals by the end of regulation time. Sophomore Haylie Carter (Forney, Texas) scored the fifth goal for the Bison, assisted by Tardif and Manopla. Netting the sixth and final goal of the game was Nichols freshman Emily Larosa (Weymouth, Mass.), with help from Lepore and junior Ashley O'Donnell (North Scituate, R.I.).

Splitting time in the net for the Purple Knights was sophomore Alysia Goldman who came up with 14 saves in the first period and freshman Erin Stevens, who finished the game with 22 saves.

Nichols travels down Interstate 89 to Northfield, Vt., for a 4 p.m. game at Norwich University on Saturday. The puck is set to drop at 4 p.m. at Kreitzberg Arena. 

Story courtesy St. Michael's College Sports Information

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