DUDLEY, Mass 2/24/2024. – The Nichols College women's lacrosse team, led by eight points from junior midfielder Hadley Houghton, opened its season with a 14-11 non-conference win over Colby-Sawyer College on Saturday afternoon at Vendetti Field.
With the win the Bison picked up their first win against the Chargers in program history, snapping a previous seven-game skid against the visitors.
Houghton scored six goals to lead all scorers and chipped in with two more assist for an eight point performance. Junior McKenzie Muir found the back of the net three times for Nichols as well. Sophomore Emma Patton posted a hat-trick as well, while classmates Caitlin Welch and Sarah King, each scored for the home team in the win.
The goals came quickly and often but it was the Chargers who struck first just four minutes into the game. The Bison responded immediately with a counterattack led by Houghton who sent a shot into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1. Just 10 seconds later the Bison found themselves on the back foot once again after a quick score, from face-off for the Chargers.
Houghton continued her scoring ways by taking advantage of a man-up opportunity and cashing her second goal of the game, leveling the score 2-2. Nearly two minutes later Welch added her name on the scoring sheet by converting from close range to give the Bison the first lead of the game. However, the Chargers equalized with seven seconds left in the quarter to finish the first frame 3-3.
Muir continued the scoring for the Bison just 18 seconds into the second quarter, but the Chargers once again would respond by scoring two quick goals to retake the lead at 5-4. Houghton completed her hat trick with seven minutes to play in the first half to deadlock the game at 5-5. The next two goals came from the Bison by way of Houghton and Patton to take a two-goal lead. The teams traded goals before halftime to make it 8-6 Bison headed into the locker room.
It was in the second half when the Bison started to pull away by scoring six of the next eight goals, including a blistering shot from King that pushed the Bison to a commanding 14-8 lead. The Chargers scored the final three goals of the game, but it was not enough to overcome the onslaught of Bison goals, and the game ended in a 14-11 victory.
In goal for the Bison, sophomore transfer Briar Slattery (1-0) capped off the first win of her Bison career with 12 saves and 7 ground balls. Nichols converted two of their three free position chances.
The Bison will return to action Wednesday, February 28th as they are set to take on Mount Holyoke College in a non-conference home matchup. Game time is set for 7 PM at Vendetti Field.
