Box Score BIDDEFORD, Maine (Nov. 3) – The third-seeded Nichols College field hockey team fell to second-seeded University of New England, 2-1, Thursday afternoon in the Commonwealth Coast Conference semifinals at the Big Blue Turf. The Bison, who made their seventh consecutive CCC postseason appearance, tied the game on a second-half goal from junior Barbara Roy. Nichols ends the year with a 9-9 record.

Casey Clark gave the Nor'easters a 1-0 lead 12:50 into the game, finishing off a quick transition play by knocking in a rebound from Hayley LaPointe at the left post.

Nichols' best chance of the frame came as time expired. The Bison applied heavy pressure in the final 20 seconds of the half as Avery Orszulak finished off a transition play with a shot in front of the net, but was denied by UNE keeper Kaitlyn Warren. Nichols was awarded a penalty corner shortly after, where Emily Widdison fired off the insertion by Chelsea Correia. The shot was saved but found a defender's foot, giving the Bison another corner as the buzzer sounded. The Bison set up the same way, but Widdison's shot was blocked to end the threat.

Roy knotted the game by potting her own rebound, knocking it over a sprawled Warren to complete a play driven up the field by Widdison. The goal marked the seventh of the season for the junior.

The goal sparked some momentum for the Bison, who had chances on a pair of consecutive corner opportunities played in by Rachel Dalrymple.

It was the Nor'easters, however, who converted on corner to take the lead.  Emily Koehler inserted the ball where Michelle Oswald had the stick stop at the top of the arc. Oswald faked a shot before sending it down to the left to Koehler who lifted it past Nichols keeper Molly Melanson at 52:38.

Melanson finished with 11 saves and was aided by a defensive stop by Alexa Boucher. Warren made 17 saves in the win.

Nichols outshot UNE, 29-23 overall and 18-13 in shots on goal. The Bison also maintained a 16-12 advantage in corners.

The Bison end the season with a 9-9 record and post a record of .500 or better for the third-straight year. UNE (18-2) will travel to top-seeded Endicott on Saturday for the CCC Championship.

Box Score