HARRISVILLE, R.I. – Junior Kelly Ferreira registered her first collegiate hat trick in Nichols College's 5-2 win over Neumann University Saturday night in non-conference women's ice hockey action at Levy Rink.
 
Ferreira also collected a pair of assists while freshman Mel McAleer notched four points (2-2-4) and junior Callie Jackson notched two assists. With the win, the Bison moved to 9-9-1 on the season and established a single-season record for wins. Ferreira, meanwhile, became the third different student-athlete in program history to score three goals in one game and the first since Grace Murphy at UNE on November 10, 2012.
 
Sophomore Lauren Vanstone and freshman Katelyn Brown scored for the Knights (12-6-2), who outshot the Bison 35-25 but surrendered three power-play goals to Nichols. They also failed to convert on a 5-on-3 for 2:00 in the second period.
 
Nichols trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes of play before goals from McAleer at 3:15 and Ferreira at 9:32 of the second gave it a 3-2 lead heading to the third. McAleer netted a PP marker at 4:07 to push the NC lead to 4-2 before Ferreira completed her hat trick with her ninth of the season at 16:58.
 
Freshman Abby Bassett turned aside 33 shots to earn her fourth win of the season. Sophomore Helen Cooney was credited with 20 saves for the Knights.
 
All-Time Series
This evening's contest marked the second all-time meeting between Nichols College and Neumann University. Tonight's win evens the series at 1-1-0.
 
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"I am extremely proud of our student-athletes for setting a new record for wins. They battled hard and executed tonight. Our buy-in to defensive hockey and capitalizing on opportunities was huge. The staff couldn't be happier to be a part of this family." – Nichols head coach Mike O'Grady