Box Score
DUDLEY, Mass. – Sophomore Ryan Banker (Ashaway, R.I.) headed in the game-winning goal in overtime as the Nichols College men's soccer team defeated New England College 3-2 Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at the Nichols Soccer Field.

The Bison open up the season with a win for the first time since 2011, when they defeated New England College 1-0.

Nichols jumped out to an early lead when Banker headed a pass over the last defender to junior Isaac Alvarenga (Marlborough, Mass.), who lobbed a shot over sophomore goaltender Mark Nowak (Newburgh, N.Y.) and into the back of the net.

The Bison extended their lead at the 35 minute mark when freshman Rielee Mohsin (Stuart, Fla.) caught the keeper out of position and lobbed it over his head for his first career goal. Senior Michael Perry (Plainville, Mass.) received the assist on the play.

The Pilgrims came out on the offensive in the second half when senior Victor vonHaugwitz (Karlsberg, Sweden) headed in a cross from classmate Brandon Currier (Merrimack, N.H.) to cut the lead in half.
Freshman Michael Skarbelis (North Andover, Mass.) evened the score just nine minutes later in similar fashion. Freshman Cooper Valinski (Portsmouth, N.H.) crossed the ball from the left side of the net and Skarbelis was able to head it past junior goaltender Alex Geas (Somers, Conn.) and into the top right of the net.

The Bison had one more great opportunity late in the second half when junior Conor Fountain (Laconia, N.H.) broke away from the defense and fired a shot from 10 feet out that sailed high. Nichols and NEC ended regulation tied at two.

Only three minutes into overtime, junior Christian Cole (Gaithersburg, Md.) threw the ball in to freshman Paul Sickinger (Tyngsboro, Mass.), who headed it down to Banker. The sophomore then headed it into the net for the win.

Geas earns his first win since the 2012 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Semifinal against Roger Williams after missing last season with an injury. Nowak picks up the loss.

"I think we came out exactly how we needed to," said 10th year Nichols head coach Chris Traina. "We have graduated some amazing players over the last three years but we are bringing in some guys that really have that spark."

 The Bison host Clark (MA) on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. The Pilgrims will host Amherst College on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.