DANBURY, Conn. (10/14/2026) - In a high-scoring contest that featured three lead changes and nine goals between the two teams, Nichols College field hockey fell to Western Connecticut State University, 5-4, on Tuesday afternoon at Westside Stadium.
The Bison drop to 4-9 (2-3 CNE) overall on the season, while the Wolves improve to 8-7 (1-2 LEC).
Nichols opened the scoring at 6:15 of the first quarter when Calabro finished a feed from Gibson. WestConn responded with two goals from Ellenoire Schoen, the second coming at 9:19, to take a 2-1 advantage into the second quarter. The Bison answered in the second period when Gibson found the back of the cage at 24:55 to even the score, before Calabro converted a pass from Morgan Belyea at 29:22, giving Nichols a 3-2 lead at halftime.
WestConn tied the game at 3-3 on a penalty stroke by Madison Preston at 35:45, but Nichols regained the advantage late in the third quarter. Bianculli scored at 41:41 to put the Bison ahead 4-3 entering the final 15 minutes.
Preston tied the contest again at 49:51, finishing a pass from Cassidy Nordmann. Nichols looked to hold off the hosts down the stretch, but Grace Gundeck scored with just five seconds remaining to secure the 5-4 win for WestConn.
Calabro led the Bison with two goals on six shots, while Bianculli recorded a goal on five shots, and Gibson a goal and an assist. In goal, Fallyn Belisle made eight saves for Nichols, and the Bison finished with a 17-16 advantage in shots, including 12 shots on goal, while WestConn held a 7-5 edge in penalty corners.
The Bison will look to get back on track this weekend with a home conference contest against Western New England (8-5, 4-1 CNE) at 4:00 PM.
