Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Senior Emily Widdison (Greenfield, Mass.) and junior Amanda Broughton (Plymouth, Mass.) each scored penalty stroke goals in Nichols College's 4-3 overtime loss at University of New England in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) field hockey action Tuesday afternoon at the Big Blue Turf.

Broughton also recorded a pair of defensive saves for the Bison (7-6, 3-2 CCC), who have lost three-straight for the first time this season and fell to 0-2 in the extra session. Junior Hannah Tavella (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) tied the match with a late goal, then notched the game-winner in overtime as the Nor'easters moved back to the .500 mark at 6-6 overall (3-2 CCC).

With her team trailing late in regulation, Tavella notched her second marker of the contest with 2:01 remaining to force an extra period. In overtime, neither team had a quality scoring chance until Tavella collected the rebound of her own shot that had been saved and stuffed the ball home to give UNE its second overtime triumph in the last three games.

After the two teams played to a two-all draw in the first frame, Widdison converted a penalty stroke in the 56th minute to give the Bison a 3-2 advantage. She whistled the attempt just inside the left post for her team-leading 17th goal of the season. It appeared her marker would stand as the winner until Tavella knotted the match in the closing stages of regulation.

The first half was back-and-forth, with each team ramping up the offense as the period progressed. Broughton opened the scoring 4:23 into the contest when she converted a stroke by lifting the attempt over the blocker of UNE goalkeeper Kaitlyn Warren (Boscawen, N.H.).

The Nor'easters drew even at 18:52 on a penalty corner as Tavella took a pass from junior Hayley LaPointe (Topsham, Maine) and converted a drive from just inside the circle. Less than eight minutes later, LaPointe knocked home a rebound for her team-best eighth tally to put UNE in front 2-1. Nichols tied things up just before the half when sophomore Avery Orszulak (Springfield, Mass.) tipped in a drive by Widdison from the top of the circle.

UNE held a 16-13 edge in shots. The Bison took 13 corners compared to 12 for the Nor'easters. Warren had six saves while sophomore Molly Melanson (Simsbury, Conn.) stopped three shots for the Bison.

Nichols returns to action on Saturday with a 5 p.m. contest at Salve Regina University. The Nor'easters head to Western New England University on Saturday for a 6 p.m. game.

Contributions by UNE Sports Information