BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (1/23/2026) – The Nichols College women's ice hockey team came through with a massive 2-1 overtime conference win against the University of New England on January 23, 2026 at the Levy Rink, thanks to sophomore Kerstin Ambruso's two goals in the last 7 minutes of the game. The women's ice hockey game featured a partnership with the SHOULDER CHECK Foundation, a commitment for athletes to embrace the importance of mental health and checking in with those around them. Tonight's game also marked the team's annual Skate with a Bison night as well as their SAAC Athletes-4-Athletes game.

Nichols' win tonight brings them 5-12-0 on the season and 2-10-0 in Conference of New England play. UNE's loss moves them down to 7-10-0, 3-7-0 for games against CNE opponents.

In the first period, the Bison battled equally with the Nor'easters with back and forth play for the majority of the first, with UNE having 10 shots on goal to Nichols 11. Eight minutes into the first period, there was a penalty assessed to Nichols' Rhea Bullens for roughing, which led to a UNE powerplay that the Bison survived with good defense across the board keeping the Bison alive at 0-0 at the end of the first.

The second period began, and the Nor'easters had control of the puck for most of the period until prior to a penalty on UNE, which gave the Bison their first power play of the night. An outstanding performance by the Bison's freshman goalie, Ivy Grant, made 2 major back-to-back saves after UNE went on a breakaway while being shorthanded. This kept the Bison and the Nor'Easters equalized for yet another period, ending 0-0.

Heading into the third period, Grant once again made a tremendous back-to-back save just minutes into the third. UNE was first to break the ice of scoring at 13:11 when Jenna Ruedy found the back of the net. With the end of the game approaching, the Bison earned themselves a power play off of a tripping penalty against UNE. Sophomore captain, Kerstin Ambruso, put the Bison on the board with assists from sophomore Kasey Litwin and freshman Isabelle Brennan, making it 1-1 with four minutes left of play. The Bison managed to earn one last power play, but couldn't find the winner and ended regulation.

Two minutes into overtime, Kerstin Ambruso blasted the game-winning goal, making it her 3rd on the season and 2nd for the game. The goal was assisted by Kaylyn Bourque and Keira Goffe.

The Bison will face the Nor'easters again on Saturday, January 24th at Harold Alfond Forum, start time set at 7:00 PM.