DUDLEY, Mass. (9/6/2025) - Saturday morning, the Nichols College Men's Soccer team saw action against Western Connecticut State in the third match of their home stretch to start the season. The non-conference match ended in a 4-4 draw, highlighted by physicality and spectacular showings from
William Pugliese-Savage and
Avery Morse.
Anthony Grguric saw his first start as a Bison as well.
Following the game, the Bison and the Wolves both sit at 0-2-1 on the season.
Western Connecticut State opened up the match with consecutive goals early within the first four minutes of the match. Nikolas Santana headed a well placed cross from Matthews Rocha in the first minute of the match for the Wolves. In the fourth minute, a shot bouncing off the post from Santana fell into the feet of Juan Gomez Herrera which resulted in a tap in goal and assist for Santana. Nichols' first possession in opposing territory in the 14th minute resulted in a corner kick which Pugliese-Savage finessed into the goal marking the first score of the match for the Bison.
The second half's scoring was started again by Western Connecticut State with a goal from Maximus Vigo and another assist from Santana and a secondary assist for Ian Mounts.
Down 1-3, the Bison started to mount a comeback after an awarded penalty kick shot by Pugliese-Savage in the 59th minute hit back net and brought the score back to 2-3. In the 77th minute, Morse volleyed the ball for a goal to tie the match at 3-3. Santana responded with a chip goal over Grguric in the 81st minute, assisted by Gomez Herrera.
To tie the game and inevitably seal the draw, Morse sunk a chip goal off a pass from
Braydon Richardson in the 88th minute, then followed the score with some great defense against late set pieces to hold out.
As a freshman forward, Morse continues to stun, starting a stretch of games with goals following his score against University of Maine-Farmington on Senior Day, marking three goals in his collegiate career. Grguric posted an impressive debut as a Bison, serving as a key piece in keeping the game close with ten saves. Pugliese-Savage's pair of goals marks 28 career goals, he now passes Brian Roche (2003-06) for most goals in a career and now sits at the number nine spot.
The Bison will play Massachusetts Maritime Academy at home for the Staff & Faculty game on Wednesday, September 6th scheduled for a 5:00 PM kickoff on the Nichols Soccer Field.
