WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (2/21/2025) – With their playoff hopes on the line, the Nichols women's ice hockey team traveled to West Springfield to face off against the Western New England Golden Bears. The two teams tied 1-1, with WNE earning the extra point with a 1-0 victory in the shootout.

The game marked the 100th collegiate appearance for Nichols' senior Melissa Montesi.

Thanks to stellar goaltending from senior starter McKenzie Muir, the Bison and Golden Bears remained scoreless through the first 20 minutes of play.

The only goal in the second period came from graduate student Grace Melanson, who put the Bison up 1-0. The assists on the goal came from freshmen Alexis Pacheco and Kerstin Ambruso. The goal was Melanson's 8th of the season, making her the Bison's leading scorer. The visitors carried a 1-0 lead into the third period.

With 8 minutes to play in the third period, the Golden Bears finally solved Muir on their 36th shot—a bullet from the point that snuck in to tie the game 1-1. The score was held through regulation, statistically eliminating the Bison from the CNE playoff contention.

Overtime couldn't decide the game, so a shootout was used to settle the extra point. Kasey Litwin, Grace Melanson, and Anneliese Klein all shot for the Bison, who ultimately fell 1-0 in the shootout.

Muir continued to shine for the Bison, making a total of 36 saves on the night, including stopping two of the three shooters she faced in the shootout.

The Bison will return home to the Levy Rink tomorrow, Saturday, February 22nd, for their regular-season finale against the University of New England Nor'easters. Puck drop for that game is at 4:40 p.m. in Rhode Island.