Roster / Schedule
 
DUDLEY, Mass. – Following the team's first playoff appearance since 2011 last season, the Nichols women's lacrosse team is just over a week away from kicking off its 2023 campaign on Saturday, March 4 against Dean. The squad, which includes 11 returners, five freshmen, and three transfers, will once again be led by William Mraz, who enters his fourth season at the helm for the Bison.
 
The newcomers will look to make an instant impact in a tough Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) slate and will try to provide a return to postseason play for the second-straight year.
 
"With just over a week until our home opener against Dean, we could not be more excited and optimistic going into 2023," said Mraz. "'Handle Hard Better' is our go-to phrase, and the focus at practice has been on dealing with pressure, playing our game, and being ourselves."
 
Sophomore midfielder Hadley Houghton will look to stand out again for the Bison after recording a program-best 56-goal season (74 points) to help her earn All-CCC Second Team honors in 2022.
 
After losing attacker Brooke Pelley to graduation, Mraz will turn to graduate student midfielder Liz Luster (20 goals in 2022) and senior midfielder Mackenzie Doran (31 points in 2022) for a well-rounded offensive attack in the coming season.
 
Sophomore defender McKenzie Muir and senior defender Erin Anthony will look to lead the effort on ground balls yet again, as the duo combined for 128 of the team's 500 ground balls a season ago.
 
Returning to the crease for her junior season is Keri Tremblay after playing in 11 games last season in which she posted a 5-2 record.

In 2022, the team returned to the CCC postseason for the first time in 12 seasons. The team recorded a program record 11 wins to post an 11-7 (4-4 CCC) record, with key wins coming over UNE, Wentworth, and Curry. From March 17 to April 2, the squad strung together the program's longest winning streak with five-consecutive victories. The 2022 roster put together the best average scoring output in the team's 22-year history, scoring 12.87 goals per game.
 
"With a new year in front of us we are focusing on what it can be. 2022 was very positive. It was a record-setting, winning season that prepped our returners to learn how to win. That is behind us. A talented group of freshmen, transfers, and new players have joined the mix and have forced us to test ourselves rather than being tested by our opponents."
 
"We are meshing well as we explore this new team and are always building on that exceptional family/culture bond that has come to define us," Mraz continued. "Our four captains, Liz Luster, Rebecca Taylor, Mackenzie Doran, and Madison Robichaud are our leaders in that effort, and we are looking to having lots of contributors on the score sheet.  Our culture will drive us to a successful season, and I invite our fans to come out and watch Bison lacrosse, we plan to put on a show."
 
The Bison are set to host the Bulldogs on March 4 at 12 p.m. as part of a four-game homestand to begin their season.