BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (12/5/2025) – The Nichols College women's ice hockey team was held off the scoresheet on Friday afternoon, falling 4-0 to Western New England University in a Conference of New England matchup at the Levy Rink. 

Nichols falls to 2-7-0 (0-7-0 CNE) on the season, while Western New England climbs to 6-4-0 (4-3-0). 

Nichols opened the game strong, with the Bison generating multiple attempts in the first five minutes from Kaylyn Bourque, Isabelle Brennan, Riley Devlin, and Sienna Reeves. The Bison dictated possession early and outshot WNE 8-3 in the opening stretch. The momentum shifted after a Nichols penalty at 12:27, and the Golden Bears capitalized just 43 seconds into the power play. Mabel Gerard scored at 13:10 to give WNE a 1-0 lead, despite several key saves by freshman goaltender Ivy Grant, who made 13 stops in the opening frame of her first collegiate start.  

Nichols again pressed early in the second, generating multiple opportunities, but couldn't capitalize. WNE extended its lead to 2-0 at 3:19 when Mikayla Mrzywka finished a pass from Mabel Gerard and Jenna Lynch. The Bison outshot WNE 8-7 in the period but headed into the second intermission down 2-0.  

Nichols continued fighting in the final frame, blocking 11 shots defensively in the period. With the clock winding down, the Bison pulled Grant for the extra attacker, but WNE struck twice into the empty net, Mrzywka at 17:48 and Michaela Birmingham at 18:39, to close out the scoring. 

Grant made 31 saves and averaged a .939 save percentage in the game, while Avery Moriarty led the Bison in faceoff wins, winning 13 of the 22 faceoffs taken. Sienna Reeves and Anna Lehan both tallied four blocked shots on the night.  

Nichols travels to Western New England tomorrow, December 6th, for the second leg of the home-and-home series against the Golden Bears. Puck drop is set for 5:30 PM.