Box Score

WENHAM, Mass. – Sophomores Avery Orszulak (Springfield, Mass.) and Lindsey Rappazzo (Mashpee, Mass.) each scored goals to propel the Nichols College field hockey team to a 2-1 win over Gordon College in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action Wednesday afternoon.

Classmate Molly Melanson (Simsbury, Conn.) racked up eight saves to earn her eighth win of the season for the Bison, who swept the regular season series from the Fighting Scots and improved to 9-6 (5-2 CCC) with the win. Sophomore Katherine Bailey (Baltimore, Md.) potted her fourth of the season for Gordon (5-11, 2-5 CCC).

Orszulak scored the only goal of the first half 10:26 into the contest to stake the Bison to a 1-0 lead. The play developed off a penalty corner and marked Orszulak's ninth goal of 2012. Sophomore Rachel Dalrymple (Belvidere) was credited with an assist on the goal. The stanza ended with Gordon holding a 7-4 edge in shots.

The Bison doubled their lead eight minutes into the second half on Rappazzo's second marker of the season. Orszulak slid a pass to Rappazzo, who beat junior Anna Bury (Huntington, Md.) at 43:17.

Bailey's marker pulled the Fighting Scots to within one with under seven minutes remaining, as she knocked home a feed from sophomore Karli Balmer (Perkasie, Pa.) with 6:23 remaining in regulation.

On in relief of Melanson, sophomore Emily Mercure (Milton, Vt.) allowed the lone goal and also recorded one save to preserve the victory. Bury notched eight saves to fall to 5-11. Nichols outshot the Fighting Scots 9-5 over the final 35 minutes.

The Bison head to Springfield, Mass. for a 1 p.m. contest with Western New England on Saturday. Gordon hosts UNE Saturday at 1 p.m.