ATTLEBORO, Mass. (1/5/2024) – Behind a 28 save performance from junior goaltender McKenzie Muir, the Nichols College women's hockey team rolled two a 3-0 win over Johnson and Wales University on Friday afternoon from New England Sports Village to open the 2024 portion of the season for the Bison.

Three different Bison  found the back of the net in the second period, and that was all Nichols needed to earn a 3-0 shut out win over the Wildcats. Senior Grace Melanson, sophomore Avery Moriarty, and freshman Anneliese Klein all scored for the Bison. Melanson, junior Katherine Segalla, and freshman Cela MacDougall all tallied assists in the effort.

Muir earned her first collegiate shut out on the afternoon with the 28 save performance for the Bison to grab her fourth win of the season. This shut out was the first one this season and the last one came on January 28, in a 2-0 win over Salver Regina back in 2023.

Neither team found the back of the net in the first 20 minutes of action, with shot being 6-5 in favor of the Wildcats. The Bison two penalties in the first period as well to keep it 0-0 after one.

The Bison opened the scoring off a wrap around chance from Moriarty. Following a dumped in shot from center ice from freshman Victoria Khou, Moriarty raced in after the loose puck and picked the pocket of the Wildcat's defender and wrapped the puck around and snuck it inside the post for the opening goal.

Nichols doubled up their lead less then two minutes later thanks to Klein. Klein and Melanson played give and go on the near side boards and drifted to the slot before floating a back hand shot over the glove of the net minder and into the goal for a 2-0 lead. This was Klein's sixth goal of the season which ties her with the team lead. 

With under two minutes remaining in the period, Melanson potted her first goal of the season to extend the lead to 3-0. MacDougall slid a pass over to Segalla who fired a shot from the point, the shot was blocked down and off of one knee, Melanson buried he back hand shot for the third goal of the game. This goal coming on the power-play.

Both teams were unable to score in the third period and the Bison earned the 3-0 win to open the New Year. The Bison were out shot 28-21 in the game but went a perfect 4-4 on the penalty kill and 1-1 on the power-play.

Nichols returns to action on Saturday, January 6 as they face-off against Anna Maria with puck drop set 7:20 p.m. from Buffone Arena.