DUDLEY, Mass. (10/18/2025) – Freshman forward Avery Morse's volley in the 1st minute of the game and a strong defensive performance were enough to push Nichols College past Endicott College on a sunny Saturday afternoon. After 90 minutes of a hard-fought battle, the Bison earned a 1-0 win over the Gulls.
 
Nichols' record moves up to 4-7-3 (2-4-1 CNE) on the season, while Endicott drops to 6-6-2 (4-4 CNE).
 
Nichols came out of the game flying, scoring a goal on their first possession of the game. Matt De Vito played an over-the-top ball to Avery Morse, who volleyed it past the keeper to the bottom left corner to put the Bison up 1-0 just 51 seconds into the game.
 
Endicott tried to respond on a throw-in in the 3rd minute, but Nichols senior keeper Derek Axon reacted quickly to make a great save.
 
William Pugliese-Savage was close to making it 2-0 in the 10th minute, but his shot rattled the crossbar to keep the graduate student off the score sheet.
 
Freshman Ayden Gardner took a free kick in the 18th minute that was heading towards the top left corner, but Endicott's keeper made a great save to keep it at 1-0.
 
Both teams had chances to finish out the half, but the score remained at 1-0.
 
The second half continued a back-and-forth battle between the two sides. Gardner had the opening chance of the half for the Bison just four minutes in that would force a save from the Gulls.  
 
In the 60th minute, the Gulls forced Axon to make his first save of the half on a flick on a header off a set piece.
 
Endicott generated chances off set pieces in the second half, but Axon and the Bison defense stood strong and kept them out. The game finished 1-0, with the Bison picking up a huge 3 points to help their Conference of New England playoff push.
 
Axon kept his 4th clean sheet of the season, making 11 saves in the game to preserve the win.
 
Nichols goes on the road for a mid-week Conference of New England match against Hartford University. Kickoff is set for Wednesday, October 22, at 7 PM at the Al-Marzook Field.