SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (4/23/2025) – For the first time in program history, the Nichols College women's lacrosse team defeated Western New England University by a score of 10-8 in their 2025 regular season finale at Golden Bear Stadium on Wednesday.

The Bison improve to 12-3-1 (5-3-1 CNE) with the win, while the Golden Bears drop to 5-11 (4-5 CNE) with the loss. Nichols also locks up the No. 4 seed in the upcoming CNE Tournament with the victory.

Senior Hadley Houghton led the offense in the battle with three goals, eight shots on goal, and six draw controls. Junior Emma Patton and freshman Sienna Reeves each scored twice, while senior McKenzie Muir bolstered the defensive end with five caused turnovers and five ground balls, in addition to controlling a game-high seven draws. The Bison outshot the Golden Bears, 29-26, and edged WNE on draw controls, 15-7.

Junior goalkeeper Briar Slattery (11-3-1) backstopped the victory for the Bison, making four saves.

With her two goals on the night, Patton was also the newest Bison to surpass 100 goals in her collegiate career.

The Golden Bears jumped out on a 3-0 lead with 9:48 remaining in the first quarter. Nichols battled back with a two-goal run behind goals from Kristen Ruby and Gabriella Mandirola, shrinking the host lead down to 3-2, but WNE used the remaining time to their benefit with another three unanswered goals to make it a 6-2 game after one.

The Bison controlled the pace of play in the second stanza, scoring all four goals. The first landed at 9:55 of the frame on Patton's first of the game and 34^th of the season, before Houghton notched her 57^th of the year less than a minute later, narrowing the gap to just two goals at 6-4 WNE.  The scoring didn't stop there, with Reeves firing home her first of the night 40-seconds later. Patton was also the last Bison to find the back of the net in the half, after converting off a pass by Makala Dube for her second goal of the game, tying the score at 6-6 heading into the halftime break.

The stakes grew higher in the third quarter, as both teams matched each other with two goals apiece. For the Bison, Reeves cashed in for her second goal at 9:54 of the frame, once again unassisted, while the second belonged to senior Paige Alexander at the 4:02 mark from Mandirola.

With it all on the line in the fourth quarter, Houghton played the hero with the go-ahead goal at 6:32 of the period, before adding the game-winning goal in the final minute of the action to secure the 10-8 win for the Bison in their regular season finale.   

The Bison will host No. 5 seeded University of New England (7-8-1, 5-3-1 CNE) in the CNE Tournament Quarterfinal on Saturday, April 26^th at Vendetti Field. Game start is slated for 1:00 PM.