FITCHBURG, Mass. (9/3/2025) – The Nichols College field hockey team put up a solid fight against non-conference opponent Fitchburg State on Wednesday afternoon, but found themselves held scoreless in a 1-0 loss to the host Falcons at Eliot Field.

The Bison move to 0-2 overall , while Fitchburg State improves to 2-0 on the fall.

The two sides traded chances through a neck-and-neck opening half, but neither was successful in finding the back of the cage as the score remained tied at 0-0 through the first 30 minutes of action. Fitchburg State held a 6-3 edge in total shots at the half, with Taylor Breen accounting for two of Nichols' three.

The Falcons finally broke the silence with their lone strike just 4:17 into the third quarter, while also earning a 4-0 shots advantage in the period to help cement their 1-0 lead heading into the fourth. However, the Bison ramped up the pressure early on in the final period as senior forward Kaelyn Casper generated a quality chance with a shot in close to the Falcon net, but saw it stopped by a sprawled-out Falcon goalkeeper to keep the game locked at 1-0.  Fitchburg State would maintain the rest of the way, earning themselves the eventual shutout win.

In her second consecutive start, Nichols freshman goalie Jessa Altemose posted four saves against the Falcons in the loss.

The Bison return to action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Wheaton College (1-1) for a 12:00 PM non-conference showdown at the Diane Nordin '80 Athletic Field.