DUDLEY, Mass. – Led by six goals from freshman midfielder Amanda Burns, the Fitchburg State College women's lacrosse team defeated Nichols, 13-6, in a non-conference matchup at Vendetti Field Thursday evening. The Falcons improve to 2-5 overall while the Bison drop to 1-4 on the season.

Krista-Jean Forand (Plymout, Mass.) tallied three markers to lead the Bison, including a pair on free position shots.

Fitchburg took to scoring early and often with Kaitlyn Kelley netting a pair before the 10-minute mark to lead the Falcons to a 7-2 halftime lead. Kelley finished with three goals and an assist on the night.

Nichols first-year attacker Anna Schmitt (Longmeadow, Mass.) broke up the scoring with a free position goal, but three-straight Falcons' markers gave the visitors a 5-1 lead.

Forand added a free position goal with 7:57 left in the opening frame, but Burns and Tori D'Amato buried two more for the Falcons before the break.

Forand picked up her second of the night to open the second half, but three-straight Fitchburg goals gave the Falcons a 10-3 advantage at 15:18.

Emily Yourie (Ellington, Conn.) netted a goal while Nichols was down a player, but again the Falcons scored three in a row to push ahead, this time, 13-4.

The Bison closed out the scoring in the final two minutes on goals from Arianna Perotti (North Scituate, R.I.) and Forand.

Mary Michaud (Agawam, Mass.) made six saves for the Bison, while Jill Shaner made four stops in the win for the Falcons.

Fitchburg held a 21-20 groundball advantage and a 13-7 lead in draw controls.

Nichols returns to The Commonwealth Coast Conference action on Saturday when the Bison host Curry in an 11 a.m. game. Fitchburg travels to Bridgewater Saturday for a noon MASCAC contest. 

Box Score