DUDLEY, Mass. (10/17/2026) - Despite standout performances in goal and on defense, the Nichols College field hockey team fell to Western New England University, 3-0, Saturday afternoon at Michael J. Vendetti Field.
The loss drops Nichols to 4-10 on the season and 2-4 in the CNE. Western New England improves to 9-5 overall and 5-1 in conference play.
Western New England opened the scoring with just 36 seconds remaining in the opening quarter when Mikayla Mrzywka found the back of the net, giving the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead. The Bison looked to respond in the second quarter with an attempt at the net from
Asya Osei-Opoku, but Western New England maintained its one-goal advantage heading into halftime.
Nichols continued to battle defensively in the third quarter, with goalkeeper
Fallyn Belisle making several saves to keep the deficit at one.
Emma Bianculli recorded the Bison's only shot on goal in the period, but Western New England goalkeeper Alex Tardugno made the save to preserve the lead. Then, the Golden Bears extended its advantage in the fourth quarter when Jenna Nigro scored in the 55th minute off assists from Mrzywka and Tessa Ebreo to make it 2-0, followed by a third strike by Kayla Surprenant in the final seconds of the game to secure shutout victory for the Golden Bears.
Belisle finished the afternoon with 18 saves for the Bison, a career-high for the senior, while
Alyse Mutti and
Brooke Morin each recorded a defensive save. Nichols recorded two shots, including one on goal, while Western New England finished with 43 shots and 13 penalty corners.
The Bison return to action Tuesday, October 20, against Bridgewater State University. The game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
