WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (4/3/2024) – The Nichols College Men's Lacrosse team hit the road on a rainy Wednesday to take on newly-minted CCC member University of Hartford. The teams exchanged scoring throughout the game, but a late goal pushed the Hawks past the Bison 9-10 from Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium.
Nichols now sits a 6-5 (1-1 CCC) and Hartford moves to 3-4 with the win. This was the first meeting between the two programs.
The first quarter had the visiting Bison fall behind 0-1 in the first possession of the game before shifting the tides and scoring five goals in the last six minutes of the opening frame. Getting things started for the Bison was graduate student Ryan Warner who notched the game up at one a piece. Dylan DeRubeis then scored to push his goal streak to five games off an assist from senior Colby Gillis who made history as a new member of the 100-assist club just last week. Gillis would then go on to add two goals of his own before DeRubeis would round out the first quarter for the Bison, who sat at a 5-1 lead following 15 minutes.
The second quarter swayed the momentum in the direction of the Hawks, who scored five unanswered goals to take the lead 6-5. The Bison found themselves down a goal at halftime despite outshooting the hometown Hawks 17-15.
The Hawks continued their scoring streak pushing their lead to 2 just 25 seconds into the third quarter. Ryan Warner then ripped a shot passed the Hartford goalkeeper to bring the Bison back within one. The scoring frenzy continued throughout the 3rd quarter with Gillis completing his hat trick, and CJ Cadigan adding a goal of his own. This Bison finally regained the lead thanks to the hat trick completion from Warner with just over three minutes to play in the 3rd quarter. The Bison owned a 9-8 lead following 45 minutes of play.
The script shifted in the fourth quarter with the scoring parade came to a halt. It wasn't until a man-up opportunity for the Hawks inside two minutes to play that they were able to tie the game up at 9-9. The game-winner was scored at the hands of the Hawks with just over 5 seconds to play in the game off a play drawn up in a late timeout. The Bison won the final faceoff but were unable to convert on the possession.
In goal for the Bison, junior Brady Morgan saw his 11th start of the season collecting 9 saves in the loss. The Bison held the edge over the Hawks in both ground balls (21-18) and caused turnovers (10-7).
Next up for the Bison is their senior day celebration against the University of New England. That game is set for Saturday, April 6th at 1 pm on Vendetti Field.
