DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols College women's soccer team ended their 2017 season with a 3-1 setback to the University of New England on Wednesday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at Vendetti Field in Dudley, Mass.
In a pregame ceremony, the Nichols women's soccer team recognized its five-member senior class in
Danielle Barry (Springfield, Mass.),
Ashley Cibotti (Norton, Mass.),
Deandra Flynn (Pawtucket, R.I.),
Lauren MacGray (Norton, Mass.), and
Taylor Souza (New Bedford, Mass.) for their contributions to Nichols College and its athletics program.
Photo Gallery
The Nor'easters struck first in the 15th minute as senior Edie Pallozzi (Windham, Maine) was able to beat her defender and then slip a shot past the outstretched hands of Nichols junior goalie
Brooke Downey (Middleboro, Mass.) to make it a 1-0 game.
UNE made it a 2-0 lead in the 69th minute when sophomore Katie Beaudoin (Coventry, R.I.) got behind the Nichols defense for a 1-on-1 chance with Downey. Beaudoin's first shot was blocked down by Downey, but the sophomore kept the possession alive and converted on the open net to make it a 2-0 lead for the visitors.
Nichols got one back a minute later as
Ashley Cibotti was awarded a penalty kick after being taken down inside the box. The senior calmly stepped to the spot and buried a shot inside the right post to cut the deficit in half.
The Bison continued to search for the equalizer while UNE was content to just run out the clock. In the 88th minute, the Nor'easters earned a corner kick, and after freshman Sydney Littlefield's (Sanford, Maine) entry was knocked away, it landed at the feet of senior Becca Murphy (Durham, N.H.) who sealed the game with a top-shelf rocket to give the game its final score of 3-1.
The Nor'easters held a 25-10 advantage in shots in the game, and held a slight 5-4 edge in corner kicks.
Brooke Downey recorded 10 saves in the setback, while her counterpart junior Emily Ashman (Madison, Conn.) stopped five shots for UNE.
All-Time Series
Today marked the 23rd meeting between the two programs, and the Nor'easters hold a 14-8-1 advantage in the series.
Next Match
Nichols (5-11-1, 1-7-1 CCC)
U New England (8-8-2, 3-5-1 CCC) – Saturday, Oct. 28, CCC Quarterfinals