DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols College women's soccer team defeated Fitchburg State 1-0 in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon at Vendetti Field.
 
The win marks the first win for first-year head coach Sonia Basma and is also the seventh one-goal game for the Bison this season.
 
Junior Danielle Barry (Springfield, Mass.) potted the only goal of the game in the 81st minute to elevate the Bison to their first win of the season. Junior Taylor Souza (New Bedford, Mass.) was credited with the assist on the goal after she broke down the right side before sending a pass to the middle that Barry one-timed through the keeper for the goal.
 
The game was fairly even throughout the entire match with the Bison outshooting the Falcons 15-12 and only 7-6 in shots on goal. The Bison did hold a two-to-one margin on corner kicks though at 4-2.
 
The best opportunity for the Falcons came in the 68th minute when off of a corner kick by senior Nicole Hallett (Canton, Mass.) junior Whitney Mansfield (Lunenburg, Mass.) fired a shot from inside the 18 that was blocked before freshman Brittny Peralta had her rebounded shot blocked. Finally a rebounded shot by senior Samantha Zina (Abington, Mass.) sailed wide to end the chance.
 
Barry provided a game-high five shots (four shots on goal) while senior Jillian Krish (Rockland, Mass.) chipped in with three. Hallet led the Falcons with three shots.
 
Sophomore Brooke Downey (Middleboro, Mass.) earned her first career win/shutout after stopping six shots – giving her a 32-save lead for most saves in the conference. Freshman Alexandra Foster (Leominster, Mass.) made six saves as well in the loss.
 
All-Time Series
The win for Nichols breaks the all-time series tie as the Bison now lead the series at 6-5-0.
 
Quotes
"I was so excited I was basically crying. It is just a wonderful feeling and not just for me but I think I just get chills when I see how happy the girls are and they deserve it. That was the best feeling for me." – Nichols head coach Sonia Basma on getting her first career coaching win
 
"The goal was awesome. 'T' got down the line for us and broke away before slipping it right back to Danni. You could tell she Danni wasn't placing it anywhere and just wanted to make sure she hit it hard and get a goal. It was a good combination for our forwards." – Basma on the goal by Barry
 
"We switched things up formation-wise in this game but came out a little flat so that didn't work for us but we picked up the momentum. Having Danni on that flank for us was a real threat and to have her work with Taylor was phenomenal for us. But also Jill and Lauren did their job for us in the middle." – Basma on what the game-plan was
 
Next Games
Nichols (1-8-1) – Thursday, October 6 @ Pine Manor, 3:00 p.m.
Fitchburg St. (3-8-0) – Saturday, October 8 vs Mass. Maritime, 12:00 p.m.