DUDLEY, Mass. (4/24/2024) - The Nichols College Men's Lacrosse team was downed by Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) foe, Western New England University, 10-4, on Wednesday evening at Vendetti Field. 

With the loss, the Bison settle the regular season with a 8-9 (3-4 CCC) record, while the Golden Bears improve to 10-6 (6-1) heading into post-season action. 

The Golden Bears got the scoring started early, scoring 32 seconds into the contest to take a quick 1-0 lead. Senior Cooper Melvin buried his 2nd goal of the season to bring the game level at one apiece at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter belonged to the Golden Bears as they scored five straight goals to take a commanding 6-1 lead into the half-time break. 

Sophomore Joey Lechance got things going for the Bison, scoring the first goal of the second half by weaving through the Western New England defense and slotting his shot into the back of the net before the Golden Bears slotted two more to bring the score to 8-2 in favor of Western New England.  The Nichols offense continued to push, eventually scoring their third of the game from a junior Jack Ellis shot that crept past the Golden Bears goalkeeper to shorten the lead to 8-3. The Golden Bears notched the first tally of the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 9-3. Ellis scored his second of the half only to be answered by another Western New England goal to close the game out at 10-4. 

Junior goalkeeper Brady Morgan recorded 16 saves with a .640 save percentage in the contest. Sophomore Carter Renaud relived Morgan late in the fourth and recorded two saves. 

The Bison now look ahead to the playoffs when they face-off against Wentworth in the 4/5 match-up in the Commonwealth Coast Confrence  Quarterfinals. The game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Boston, Mass.