DUDLEY, Mass. (9/16/2025) – The Nichols College field hockey team stayed the course on Tuesday  night in a 2-1 overtime win over non-conference visitor Eastern Connecticut State University at Vendetti Field.

The Bison improve to 2-4 (0-1 CNE) overall, while the Warriors fall to the same record on their respective campaign.  

After a scoreless first quarter, Nichols took a 1-0 lead just 1:54 into the second frame as graduate student Merle Steinau wired a long-range shot past the Warrior goalkeeper off a penalty corner pass from senior Taylor Breen, landing her first goal of the season. Nichols would go on to defend their 1-0 lead until halftime, with Eastern holding a slight 6-4 edge in total shots.

After just over eight minutes of scoreless action in the third quarter, the Warriors scored the equalizer off a rebound on their own penalty corner to knot the score up at 1-1, with senior defender Sarah King blocking the initial attempt from up high. From there, the two teams continued to trade quality chances at each end of the field, but to no avail as neither side found the back of the net the remainder of regulation, forcing overtime.

It took the Bison just over five and a half minutes into the first overtime period to lock up the victory, as sophomore Emma Bianculli sent a backhander past the left leg of the Eastern goalkeeper following a short pass from junior Sofia Calabro, winning the game for Nichols on her second goal of the season.

Freshman netminder Jessa Altemose (2-4) earned the win, making seven saves on eight shots faced.

The Bison will be back in action at Mount Holyoke College on Thursday, September 18^th. Game start is set for 6:00 PM at the MHC Turf & Track Complex.