DUDLEY, Mass. – Junior Taylor Souza (New Bedford, Mass.) scored a pair of goals as the Nichols College women's soccer team defeated Pine Manor 3-0 in non-conference action Thursday afternoon.
 
The Bison commanded the game – outshooting the Gators 26-1 for the game including 15-1 in the second half. The shot total is more shots than the four games prior to the Bison's pair of wins combined (24).
 
In a year that has seen two seniors from the Nichols men's soccer team score their first goals of their collegiate career, senior Christina Barrows (Carver, Mass.) got the scoring started for the Bison in this one when she connected on a goal at 28:36. The Bison carried that 1-0 lead into the half.
 
In the second half, Souza scored two goals within a span of 20 seconds to give the Bison a three goal lead – their first three goal lead since September 5th of last season against Mount Holyoke.
 
Souza paced the Bison with eight shots while junior Lauren MacGray (Norton, Mass.) had a season-high five shots including a team-best four shots on goal. Senior Elizabeth Anderson (Stow, Mass.) provided the only shot for the Gators in the game.
 
Sophomore Brooke Downey (Middleboro, Mass.) didn't have to make a save as she picked up her second win of the season and second shutout of her career. Sophomore Jesta Gilmore (Yuma, Ariz.) stopped a season-best nine saves in the loss.
 
All-Time Series
The Bison move to 6-0-0 in the all-time series. The two teams haven't played each other since 2007 (Bison won 10-0) but the series dates back to 1991 – in which Nichols has produced four shutouts.
 
Quotes
"Today we definitely came out on top and we had a lot of offensive opportunities that we capitalized on. We have been working on the midfielders pushing up and attacking with the offense and I think that definitely helped play a role in today's win. The energy on the field for the most part was great and I think that is what we need for every game going forward. These past two wins have definitely changed everyone's mindset and I think great things will happen for us going forward." – Junior midfielder Lauren MacGray (Norton, Mass.)
 
Next Games
Nichols (2-8-1) – Saturday, October 8 at Wentworth, 12:00 p.m.
Pine Manor (5-4-0) – Monday, October 17 at Suffolk, 7:00 p.m.