FRANKLIN, Mass. (10/8/2026) - The Nichols College field hockey team battled back late in the fourth quarter to force overtime against Dean College, but the Bulldogs secured a 3-2 victory (OT) with a game-winning goal from Emma Gragen at 61:40.
Nichols falls to 4-7 (2-2 CNE) with the loss, while Dean College improves to 9-3 (4-1 GNAC) with the win.
The first half would be a defensive game as neither team would allow a goal with the Bison taking four shots, including three in the first quarter, to the Bulldogs eight shots before halftime. Prior to the close of the first half, sophomore Gabby Couillard and goalkeeper Fallyn Belisle would each record a save, stopping the ball from finding the net.
The second half was a different story for the Bulldogs as they would find the back of the net at 37:28 of the third quarter with Emily Kilpatrick scoring Dean's first goal of the day and her 8th of the season.
Quarter four is where the Bison would strike with an assist by Alyse Motti to find Emma Bianculli for the first goal of the day, tying the match. Dean would later respond with a goal from Emily Kilpatrick scoring her second goal on the day and giving back the Bulldogs the lead 2-1. Nichols answered once more, however, as Lily Gibson finished a penalty-corner opportunity off another assist from Mutti with 54 seconds left to force overtime.
With the game tied and heading into overtime, the Bulldogs would come out firing as they sealed the game with a goal from Emma Gragen 61:40 in the game. Fallyn Belisle would finish the day with six saves and Emma Bianculli, Alyse Mutti, and Lily Gibson all finishing the day with three shots, contributing to Nichols 10 shots.
The Bison return to action on October 10th 6:00 PM when they travel to Providence, Rhode Island, to take on Conference of New England opponent Johnson & Wales University.
