BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Nov. 12) – Senior Mandy Manopla led the Bison with a hat-trick as Nichols defeated Sacred Heart 6-2 for the first win of the season on Saturday afternoon at the Wonderland of Ice. The Bison improve to 1-1-1 while Sacred Heart slips to 0-7.

First-year Tawny Buelow netted the first goal at 7:28 into the contest off an assist from sophomore Megan Gerein. Just under five minutes later Gerein scored with an assist from Buelow and senior Hannah Tardif.

The Pioneers climbed back in the contest with a pair of goals in the second period. Jamie Mey scored at 2:29, with assists going to Meghan Souza and Sara Hanna.  Palazzo buried a rebound to tie the game at 12:50, following a point shot shot by Sarah Delaney set up Tara Kent.

Nichols, however, went up for good on a short-handed goal by Manopla at 16:14, who converted a turnover for the game-winner.  

The Bison added insurance early in the final period.  Rookie Jordan Fencl scored on a 5-3 power play 25 seconds into the third.  She was assisted by Gerein and junior captain Mary Fehr.

Manopla then went on to complete her hat-trick with goals at 2:30 and 4:07. First-year Lisa Coskren aided the early goal while classmate Grace Murphy helped on the final tally.

Bison first-year goalie Rebecca Cohen collected 31 saves in her collegiate debut.

Nichols is back on the road Friday when the team jumps back into ECAC East action with a trip to Salve Regina for a 7:00 p.m. contest.