Box Score DUDLEY, Mass. (Apr. 2) – Led by seven points from sophomore midfielder Cara Cole, the University of New England women's lacrosse team earned a 17-7 victory over host Nichols in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference game at Vendetti Field Saturday afternoon. The Nor'easters improve to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in TCCC games, while Nichols falls to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in conference games.

Cole had four goals and three assists for the Nor'easters, while Hannah Tavella added five points on three goals and two assists. Jenna Barton also scored three goals, and Jessy Dvorak chipped in with two goals and an assist.

Kathleen Dudziak (Williamstown, Mass.) scored four goals for the Bison, while Krista-Jean Forand (Plymouth, Mass.) added three.

The Nor'easters took a 3-0 lead within the opening five minutes of the game before Dudziak connected with a free position goal. Nicolle Steel answered back with a free position tally to spark the Nor'easters on an eight-goal spree, capped by an unassisted goal from Cole. Nichols scored twice more in the half before Dvorak closed out the frame with her first of the day for a 12-3 advantage at the break.

The Nor'easters scored the first four goals of the second half before Forand broke their stride to make it 16-4. Danielle Cate edged UNE back ahead before the Bison closed out the game with three consecutive tallies.

Nichols starting netminder Jennifer Brigham (Bristol, R.I.) took the loss with two saves and nine goals in the opening 13 minutes before giving way to Danielle Mott (Cranston, R.I.), who finished out the game with six saves and eight goals allowed. Samantha St. Pierre earned the win with two stops.

The Nor'easters outshot the Bison, 28-15 in the game, but the groundball battle was tight with Nichols holding a slim 23-21 advantage on a balanced team effort.

Nichols hosts Lasell Monday at 7 p.m. in a rescheduled non-conference game. The Nor'easters return to Biddeford Sunday to host #15 Bowdoin in a non-conference game.

Box Score