HILTON HEAD, S.C. – The Nichols College women's lacrosse team opened up the 2018 season with a 22-15 victory over the University of Northwestern-St. Paul on Monday afternoon in Hilton Head, S.C.
 
The Bison improve to 1-0 on the season and will take on Swarthmore tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 p.m. UNW drops to 2-1 with the setback.
 
Junior Kristen Sullivan paced the Bison offense with seven goals and an assist, while senior Lindsay O'Connell added six goals, two assists, three groundballs, and eight draw controls in the win. Sophomore Danielle Kozloski netted three goals to go with an assist and 11 draw controls, with senior Mellissa LaFleur registering two goals and two assists. Sophomore Miranda Smith posted a pair of goals and three assists, while senior Allison Bench and junior McKayla Pratte had a goal and an assist each.
 
Senior Rachel Birmingham led the defense with seven groundballs, while LaFleur added four groundballs of her own. Freshman Lizz McKinnon and Bench paced the defense with three caused turnovers apiece.
 
In goal, sophomore Emily Eagan picked up the win while making eight saves and allowing nine goals in 52:23. Sophomore Molly Steen played the final 7:37, registering a save while giving up five goals.
 
The Bison fell into an early 3-1 hole before rallying to take a 5-3 advantage with 12:45 to play in the first half. After the Eagles scored a goal to cut it to 5-4, the Bison scored six-straight goals to jump out to an 11-4 lead. UNW would score the final two goals of the half to make it an 11-6 lead for the Bison headed into the break.
 
The two teams traded goals throughout the second half UNW would only get as close as 12-7 before the Bison pulled away and cruised to the 22-14 victory.
 
All-Time Series
This was the first meeting between the two programs.