DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols College women's soccer team fell to visiting Gordon College, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play at the Nichols Soccer Field.
Gordon struck first in the 31st minute as the Fighting Scots played a ball into the box that was blocked down by the Nichols defense. The ball caromed out to the top of the 18 where sophomore Ashton Barkey (Parker, Colo.) one-timed the ball opposite post for the 1-0 advantage.
Nichols answered nearly six minutes later as the Bison earned a free kick after a Gordon foul. Senior
Deandra Flynn (Pawtucket, R.I.) stepped to the ball and placed a rocket under the crossbar to knot the game at 1-1 headed into the break.
The Fighting Scots took the lead back in the 53rd minute of play as junior Asha Steele (Bedford, N.H.) beat a defender down the left side and slotted the ball past junior goalie
Brooke Downey (Middleboro, Mass.) to put the visitors in front, 2-1.
Gordon would later add an insurance goal in the 75th minute as a shot from Gordon senior Naomi Shearer (Hampden, Mass.) fired a shot on goal that bounced of a Nichols defender and around the box. Steele was there on the opposite post to punch it home and give the Fighting Scots a 3-1 lead. Gordon senior Chandler Stier (Redlands, Calif.) made it a 4-1 game as Steele found her inside the box for a quick strike to the opposite post with nearly 13 minutes to play.
Nichols cut the deficit in half only two minutes later when senior
Danielle Barry (Springfield, Mass.) raced down the left side, lost her defender, and chipped the ball over the head of the Gordon keeper sophomore Kali Denty (Marshfield, Mass.).
The Bison earned a pair of corner kicks in the 86th minute of play looking for one more goal to get closer, but came away empty handed.
Gordon held a 25-9 edge in shots in the game, while Nichols held a 5-2 advantage in corners. Downey ended the game with 11 saves, while Denty stopped one shot in the victory.
All-Time Series
This afternoon's game marked the 31st meeting between the two programs, and Gordon holds a 23-6-2 edge in the series.
Next Match
Nichols (4-8-1, 1-4-1 CCC) – Tuesday, Oct. 17 vs. Salve Regina, 7:00 p.m.
Gordon (6-4-2, 3-2-1 CCC) – Wednesday, Oct. 18 at Eastern Nazarene, 5:00 p.m.
