DUDLEY, Mass. (3/2/24) – Nine points from junior midfielder Hadley Houghton boosted the Nichols College women's lacrosse program to an 11-5 victory over Salem State in non-conference play at Vendetti Field Saturday afternoon.

Nichols continues their hot start to the 2024 season, improving to 3-0 overall. Salem State, with it being their season opener, drops to 0-1 with the loss.

Houghton filled the scoresheet with six goals, three assists and four draw controls to lead the charge for the Bison. Sophomore midfielder Emma Patton added four points of her own on the afternoon with two goals and two assists, while junior defender McKenzie Muir added two points with a pair of goals. Both players also tied each other with a team-best five draw controls, with Muir additionally recording match-highs in both ground balls (7) and caused turnovers (6).  

Houghton opened the scoring just over a minute into the action to give Nichols the early 1-0 edge, and then scored her second of the game at 11:48 to put the hosts ahead 2-0, with both goals unassisted. Salem State countered at 11:11 to make it a 2-1 game, but a Muir goal on a free position attempt restored the two-goal lead for the Bison with 6:59 to play. Nichols went on to lead the Vikings 4-2 after one, with Houghton completing the hat trick late in the frame.

The second quarter was even in terms of goals, with each side securing just one apiece. However, with a 5-3 lead in hand entering the third, the Bison pulled away with three quick strikes from Houghton, Muir and sophomore Makala Dube to extend the advantage to 8-3. The Bison added two more before the end of the period, both of which belonged to Patton, putting them in position for the win with a 10-5 lead.

Only one goal would be scored in the fourth, which came off a free position shot by Houghton, confirming the 11-5 win for the Bison.

Senior Keri Trembly earned the victory in goal for Nichols, making six saves on 11 total shots face while holding the Vikings to single-digit goals. The win marked the 16^th of her collegiate career, which made her the program's all-time leader in career wins.

The Bison face their first road test of the season on Tuesday, March 5^th when they head over to Emerson College (1-0) for a 6:00 PM start at Rotch Field.