Dudley, Mass. (4/12/24) – In a late-season non-conference match, the Nichols College Men's Lacrosse team hosted the Connecticut College Camels. The game was decided in quick scoring bursts by each side, ultimately settling with a 15-9 decision in favor of the Camels.
With the win, Connecticut College moves to 4-6 (1-6 NESCAC) on the year, and Nichols falls to 8-6 (3-1 CCC) late in the season.
The Camels took little time getting on the scoreboard notching the first goal past an unsuspecting Brady Morgan just 21 seconds into the game to go ahead 1-0. A few possessions later, the Bison tied the game up at one apiece. In that play, Conor Doherty extended his goal streak to three games as he riffled a shot passed the Camel's starting netminder Will Rice at the 10:47 mark. The tie wouldn't last long as the Camels won the ensuing draw and regained the lead 30 seconds later.
The Camels would continue their offensive push and go ahead 3-1 at the midway point of the first quarter on a man-up opportunity. The Camels would add another goal before the close of the first frame to hold a 4-1 lead through 15 minutes of play.
The start of the second quarter saw a massive possession shift in the home side's favor and it was the Bison who struck first as Conor Doherty scored his second of the game off a behind-the-net pass from Dylan DeRubeis to clip the Camels' lead back down to two. The teams exchanged chances throughout the frame, and on a play drawn up in a Connecticut College timeout, the Camels regained the three-goal lead at the 6:08 mark. On the next possession, Bison freshman Shea Ullo fired a highlight reel shot past Rice to bring the Bison back within two. The play was assisted by Doherty, who now holds eight multi-point games this season. The Camels would add one more tally to carry a 6-3 lead over the Bison at halftime.
The second half opened with a faceoff win and a phenomenal chance for the Bison's Travis Arnold who just grazed the crossbar with a rocket of a shot. Despite the grade-A chance, the Camels struck with three quick goals within 30 seconds to extend their lead to 9-3 just three minutes into the half. The Bison would silence the scoring streak as Doherty completed his hattrick midway through the third quarter as he forced his way through a sea of Camels defenders and got the ball in the net. The Camels answered back with two more goals of their own 5 seconds apart as they snuck the ball passed Morgan between many fantastic saves. With just over one minute to play in the third quarter, Dylan DeRubeis added a goal of his own off a Jack Ellis pass on a man-up opportunity to give the Bison their second tally of the frame. The Camels got the last goal of the frame and continued to hold the lead 12-5 through three-quarters of play.
In fourth-quarter action, Connecticut College continued their scoring push as they extended their lead to eight four minutes in. Later, Ryan Warner added a goal of his own to push his goal streak to four games. The play grew heated between the two squads as the clock ticked down. Despite this, Ullo found a way to collect his second tally of the game. The freshman scoring streak continued as Joseph Turpin added a goal to chip away at the Camels' lead. With seven seconds left, Blake Covell added one more tally for the home side. That goal would be the game's final one as the Camels took home the 15-9 win over the Bison.
Brady Morgan earned his 14th start of the season and made 14 saves on the day as he sheltered the loss. He was relieved by sophomore Carter Renaud midway through the fourth quarter.
The Bison as set to break this weekend from play before they return to Commonwealth Coast Conference action as they head to Roger Williams University for a tilt with the Hawks. That game is set for Tuesday, April 16th at 4 PM in Bristol, Rhode Island.
