HENNIKER, N.H. – Behind a three-goal performance from junior Colby Gillis, the Nichols men's lacrosse team came away with an 8-4 victory over New England College on Wednesday night at Don Melander Field to advance to 5-1 (0-0 CCC) on the season. The hosting Pilgrims fell to 0-3 (0-0 NECC) on the young season with the loss.

Gillis answered each NEC goal in the first quarter on feeds from Hunter Ferreira to help equalize the game at 2-2 after 15 minutes of play. Cian Keohane struck for two goals in the closing minutes of the first half to put the Bison up by a pair at the halftime break.

Matt Daley scored on a man-up opportunity for the home team to cut the deficit to just one, but a pair of goals from Ryan Warner and Ferreira lengthened the Nichols lead. Nathan Hawkins would once again make it interesting, netting an unassisted tally with 8:26 to play. Gillis' hat trick-securing goal and CJ Cadigan's strike over the final 5:45 put the game on ice for the Bison, securing the team's fifth win and extending the winning streak to four games.

Nichols dominated the Pilgrims in shots on goal, tallying 29 to NEC's 10. Additionally, the Bison were almost perfect on clears (28-30) while forcing 10 failed clears for the Pilgrims (29-39). In the ground ball category, Nichols more than doubled up its opponent, 50-22, with Cooper Melvin leading the charge with seven. NEC won six faceoffs, with Melvin (5-of-11) and Evan St. Arnauld (4-of-4) combining for nine draw wins for the Bison.

Brady Morgan stood tall in net, making six saves to earn his fifth victory of the campaign.

Up next, the Bison head south to face Gwynedd Mercy on Wednesday, March 15 as part of a two-game road trip to the Mid-Atlantic with first draw set for 4 PM from the GM Athletic Complex.