Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Nichols College field hockey team ran their winning streak to five with a 4-0 shutout win at Worcester State University in non-conference field hockey action Thursday night.

Sophomore Molly Melanson (Simsbury, Conn.) stopped all 11 shots she faced en route to her 11th win and fourth shutout of the season (two shared). Four different student-athletes found the back of the net for the Bison (12-6), including sophomore Avery Orszulak (Springfield, Mass.), who potted her 10th goal of the season and also added a helper.

Nichols scored the only goal it would need just 52 seconds into the contest when Orszulak fed classmate Lindsey Rappazzo (Mashpee, Mass.) for her fourth tally of the season. Less than 10 minutes later, sophomore Jenn Townsend (Wethersfield, Conn.) registered her fifth marker of 2012 on a penalty stroke to double the Bison lead.

Orszulak's goal with no time remaining on the clock off a penalty corner sent Nichols into the half with a 3-0 lead. Senior Emily Widdison (Greenfield, Mass.) closed the scoring at 49:56 when she knocked in her own rebound for her team-leading 22nd marker.

The Bison outshot the Lancers 24-13 and have now won at least 12 games in four of head coach Kristan Mallett's seven seasons in Dudley. Senior Rebecca Mullen (Peabody, Mass.) was credited with 12 saves for the Lancers (3-14).

Nichols closes out the regular season with an 11 a.m. contest against first-place Endicott on Saturday at Vendetti Field. Worcester St. plays at Fitchburg State Saturday at 11 a.m.