DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols College women's soccer team struck first, but Salve Regina University potted four goals of their own en route to a 4-1 win over the Bison on a cold Tuesday night in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at Vendetti Field.
 
Nichols scored the opening goal of the game as sophomore Nicole Gidley (Dartmouth, Mass.) headed home a corner kick from classmate Kaylin Goncalves (Norwood, Mass.) in only the second minute of the game to give the Bison a 1-0 advantage.
 
Salve Regina answered a little over four minutes later as senior Lea Adams (Sandwich, Mass.) played a through ball from midfield to sophomore Ella Rath (Pawcatuck, Conn.) and she was able to beat Nichols junior keeper Brooke Downey (Middleboro, Mass.) opposite post to knot the game at 1-1.
 
The Seahawks took the lead for good in the 33rd minute of action as junior Nicole Georges (Dunstable, Mass.) took a cross from junior Delaney Maxwell (Lincoln, R.I.) and buried a shot on an open net for the 2-1 advantage.
 
Salve Regina would tack on two more goals in the second half as Rath scored her second goal of the game on a feed from junior Abby McMackin (Walpole, Mass.), and McMackin later entered the scoring column on another assist from Lea Adams.
 
The Seahawks held a 22-8 advantage in shots in the game, while Nichols held a slight 2-1 edge in corner kicks. Brooke Downey suffered the setback while stopping eight shots, while junior Carly Pala (Milford, Conn.) registered five saves in the win for Salve Regina.
 
All-Time Series
Tuesday night's meeting marked the 23rd meeting between the two programs with the Seahawks holding a slight 12-8-3 advantage in the series.
 
Next Match
Nichols (4-9-1, 1-5-1 CCC) – Friday, Oct. 20 at Roger Williams, 6:00 p.m.
Salve Regina (5-8-3, 2-3-2 CCC) – Saturday, Oct. 21 at Gordon, 12:00 p.m.