Box Score

BRISTOL, R.I. - Junior Avery Orszulak (Springfield, Mass.) potted her team-leading 10th goal of the season to send the Nichols College field hockey team home from 'The Ocean State' with a 1-0 win over Roger Williams University Wednesday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action.

The win lifts the Bison's record to 3-10 on the season and 3-4 in conference play. They outshot the Hawks 22-7 on the afternoon.

With 4:23 elapsed in the first overtime period, junior Kaylee McNamara (Watertown, Mass.) fed Orszulak inside the circle with a short pass, which led to a diving shot by Orszulak. Though she wasn't able to get much on the shot, she got enough to push the ball just inside the right side of the goal for the lone score of the day.

Nichols maintained control of possession early on in the game, taking two corner attempts in the first 10 minutes of action. Roger Williams struggled to gain possession in its offensive end.

Nichols has a chance to score 12 minutes into the half, with Orszulak getting a pass to McNamara on the left side of the goal. However, McNamara was unable to secure solid possession of the ball before she could secure a solid shot.

The Hawks had their first offensive chance of the game 20 minutes into the first half. The team came down on a breakaway, which led to a shot attempt by Hailey Wolfe (Mansfield, Mass.). Unfortunately for the Hawks, her shot hooked just wide right.

Nichols junior Jenn Townsend (Wethersfield, Conn.) put up a shot in the 26th minute from the top of the circle, but RWU's Melora Lavoie (Poland, Maine) made a kick save with her left leg to keep the Bison off the board.

Four minutes into the second half, Nichols junior Nicole Simeone (Ashland, Mass.) had a shot blocked up into the air off of a Hawks stick and towards the goal. Lavoie was able to punch the ball out of the air before it was able to go in.

Orszulak hit senior Emalee Watkins (Malden, Mass.) up the middle for a breakaway in the 49th minute. Watkins got control of the ball but had her attempt turned away on a kick stop by Lavoie to preserve the scoreless game.

Despite Nichols attempts, the Hawks defense continued to hold on throughout the early part of the second half. In addition, the offense began to pick up; the team put up four shots in the first part of the period as compared to only two in the entire first half.

Nichols had one last opportunity in regulation with a penalty corner as time expired. However, the Bison were unable to get a shot off and the game went to overtime.

Two minutes into the first overtime period, Kaitlin Massey (Mendon, Mass.) was able to put up a shot off of a corner attempt for the Hawks, but sent the shot just wide left. Two minutes after her shot, Nichols shut the door on the game.

Junior goalkeeper Molly Melanson (Simsbury, Conn.) notched the win for Nichols, making two saves on the day. Lavoie suffered the loss, setting a new career-high with 11 saves.

The Bison return to action on Oct. 16 with they return to Rhode Island for a 7 p.m. match with Salve Regina. The Hawks (2-8, 0-6 CCC) play at UNE on Saturday.

Courtesy of Roger Williams sports information