DUDLEY, Mass. (4/9/2025) – The Nichols College women's lacrosse team dropped a 19-6 decision to conference opponent University of Hartford on Tuesday evening at Vendetti Field.

The Bison now sit at 8-2-1 (2-2-1 CNE) overall, while the Hawks improve to 7-5 (3-2 CNE) on the season.

Gabriella Mandirola and Sienna Reeves led the Bison with two goals each, while Hadley Houghton added a goal in addition to controlling six draws. Kristen Ruby also found the back of the net in the effort, with McKenzie Muir tallying a team-high three caused turnovers.

Starting goalie Briar Slattery (8-2-1) made six saves in the loss for the Bison.

The Hawks put the Bison to the test early on, scoring the game's first seven goals to lead 7-0 with 2:00 left in the first. Reeves ended Hartford's streak with her 28^th goal of the season at the 1:44 mark of the period, cutting the Hartford lead down to 7-1 entering the second quarter.

Hartford furthered its lead to 9-1 following a pair of early goals in the second quarter, but had their run halted by Ruby's lone strike of the game at 12:26, both unassisted and a man-up to make it 9-2 Hawks. Hartford then regrouped for four more goals in the frame, resulting in a 13-2 guest lead at the half.

Houghton saw Nichols as the first team on the board in the second half, scoring her 45^th of the year, unassisted at 13:03. However, the goals continued to pour in for the Hawks, as they expanded their lead to 17-3 with three minutes left in the third, before Mandirola notched her first of the night in the waning seconds of the period, making it 17-4.

Both Reeves and Mandirola would add their second goals in the fourth, but the difference proved too much for the Bison to overcome as Hartford marched on to win, 19-6.

The Bison will look to turn things around with a road matchup at Curry College (4-9, 1-4 CNE) on Saturday, April 12^th.