Paxton, Mass. (8/30/24) – With a fresh set of faces, the Nichols College Men's Soccer Team took to the field for their 2024 season with a road opener against non-conference opponent Anna Maria. The defense was the story on both sides, but it was the AMCATS who came out with the 2-0 win.

The game marked the season opener for both squads, as Anna Maria moved to 1-0 on the season, and Nichols dropped to 0-1 (0-0 CNE).

It was the AMCATS that stuck first, tapping home the opening goal as they forced a costly turnover in front of the Bison's eighteen-yard box, taking the 1-0 lead over the visitors just 15 minutes into the match. Despite the Bison outshooting the AMCATS 8 to 6 in first-half action, that 1-0 score would carry into the break.

In goal for the Bison was senior Franco Barreto Santana. The Foxboro, Massachusetts native started his senior campaign off sharp with two fantastic saves in the first ten minutes of the match. He continued that strong showing, finishing with 7 saves on the afternoon.

Ten minutes into second-half action, the Bison seemed to score a beautiful goal on a header off a cross, before it was quacking called back due to a foul on the play. The teams traded chances throughout the frame, but with less than 20 minutes left to play, the AMCATS extended their lead to two as they shot a rocket past a sprawled-out Barreto Santana. That goal stood as the game's final one as the AMCATS topped the Bison 2-0.

The Bison continue their four-game season-opening road stretch with a trip to Maine to take on the University of Maine Farmington Beavers on Wednesday, September 4th. The match will start at 4 p.m. on Bob Leib Field in Farmington.