DUDLEY, Mass. (9/20/2024) – The Nichols College field hockey team opened 2024 conference play on Friday night as they faced off against Western New England University on Vendetti Field. The Bison dropped their first conference games by a final score of 4-1.

Junior Kaelyn Casper scored the lone Bison goal, marking her fifth goal of the season to tie for the team lead. Senior Sophia Venable made 10 saves in the loss for Nichols.

The Golden Bears opened the scoring in the first quarter, just about half-way to take a 1-0 lead. WNE lead 1-0 after 15 minutes of action. Nichols pulled themselves even nine minutes into the second quarter. Casper broke free and caught the WNE defense off guard, before beating the Golden Bear netminder to the right side with a shot. Nichols and WNE tied 1-1.

Just two minutes later, the Golden Bears grabbed a 2-1 lead, and took that lead into the half, with the lead. The second way, WNE continued to apply pressure on the Bison and scored two more times, to extend their lead to 4-1 and hang on for the win.

Nichols will hit the road and travel to Salve Regina on Wednesday, September 25. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.