Box Score

DUDLEY, Mass. – Senior Emily Widdison (Greenfield, Mass.) scored three goals and added an assist to help the Nichols College field hockey team snap a two-game losing skid with a 7-0 shutout of Fitchburg State College in non-conference action Thursday night at Vendetti Field.

Eight different student-athletes registered at least one point for the Bison (3-2), who outshot the Falcons 39-8 on the evening in handing the Falcons (3-1) their first loss of the season. Sophomores Molly Melanson (Simsbury, Conn.) and Emily Mercure (Milton, Vt.) combined to record five saves en route to posting Nichols first shutout of the season.

Leading 1-0 on a goal by sophomore Lindsey Rappazzo (Mashpee, Mass.), the Bison potted three goals in a span of 1:46 late in the first half to take a commanding 4-0 lead into the break. Senior Leah Hartwell (East Bridgewater, Mass.) netted her first of the season off a pass in tight from freshman Emily Broughton (Grantham, N.H.) to double the Nichols lead. Less than one minute later, sophomore Andrea Wilson (Bedford, N.H.) knocked in a rebound to give the Bison a 3-0 lead before Widdison's first of the night at 33:48 capped the first-half scoring.

The Bison extended their lead to 5-0 on Widdison's seventh of the season and third in two games off a feed from sophomore Jenn Townsend (Wethersfield, Conn.) at 40:47. Goals by sophomore Kaylee McNamara (Watertown, Mass.) at 51:36 and Widdison at 55:55 closed the scoring.

“We wanted to be above the .500 mark after this game,” said Bison head coach Kristan Mallet. “We came out and executed the game plan very well, everyone from our goalkeepers out. Everyone played tonight and contributed. We converted around the goal, which was huge for us. We've been struggling in that area, so it was nice to see.”

Melanson got the start for Nichols and notched two saves before Mercure started the second half and picked up three saves. Sophomore Lucy Holewa (Londonderry, N.H.) recorded 18 saves for the Falcons, who also received a defensive save from senior Mary-Anne Goodsell (West Springfield, Mass.).

The Bison return to action on Saturday when they open Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play against Salve Regina at Vendetti Field at noon. The Falcons host Keene State Saturday at 10 a.m.