DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols women's lacrosse team opened its 2026 season with a thrilling 8–7 victory over Rivier University on Wednesday evening at Vendetti Field.

With the win, the Bison open 1-0 (0-0 CNE) while the Raiders drop 0-2 (0-0 GNAC). 

The Bison offense was led by senior Emma Patton, who recorded a team-high three goals on the night. She went 4-for-4 on shots, scoring on three attempts while also collecting three ground balls, winning a draw control, causing a turnover, and converting her free-position opportunity. Freshman Kaylyn Bourque delivered an impressive collegiate debut, tallying two goals and an assist while dominating in the midfield with six ground balls, six draw controls, and a caused turnover. She also capitalized on her free-position attempt. Sophomore Macy Abrams added to the offensive effort with two goals and one assist, while also collecting two ground balls and converting on her lone free-position opportunity.

The Raiders opened the scoring, capitalizing on a man-up opportunity following a green card on Nichols. The Bison quickly responded with a free-position goal from Bourque, followed by another strike just over a minute later from Patton to give Nichols an early 2–1 lead. The Bison defense held strong for most of the remainder of the quarter until Rivier evened the score with a coast-to-coast goal at the 4:11 mark. Just before the horn sounded, Bourque netted her second goal of the night with 23 seconds remaining, sending Nichols into the second quarter with a 3–2 advantage.

The second period opened slowly but followed a similar pattern to the first, as the Raiders once again tied the game with a man-up goal at the 8:48 mark. Nichols responded quickly, with Patton finding the back of the net just over a minute later. Shortly after a yellow card on Rivier created another opportunity for the Bison, Abrams capitalized and extended the lead to 5–3. Nichols added one more before the break, as Patton converted on a free-position shot at the 2:37 mark to give the Bison a 6–3 advantage heading into halftime.

The second half began with Rivier continuing the trend of striking first, finding the back of the net to open the scoring in the third quarter. The Raiders then added two more goals, tying the game at 6–6 with five minutes remaining in the period. Nichols responded by leaning on Abrams, who buried her second goal of the night to give the Bison a 7–6 lead. However, after a Rivier block disrupted a clear attempt from Briar Slattery, the Raiders capitalized on the open net and evened the score once again at 7–7 just before the horn sounded.

The final period saw the final goal from Gabriella Mandirola at the 8:48 left in the match assisted by Bourque to seal the match. The Bison defense proved strong, and they held the Raiders scoreless for the remainder of the game. Taking the 8-7 win and starting the year off strong.

The Bison will hit the road for their spring break trip, traveling to face the University of Mary Washington on March 8 at 12:00 PM in Fredericksburg, Va., at UMW Turf Stadium.