WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Nichols College women's lacrosse team fell to conference opponent Hartford, 19-9, on Wednesday evening at Al-Marzook Field.
With the loss, the Bison move to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play, while the Hawks improve to 7-5 overall and 4-2 in league action.
Nichols was led offensively by Cali Melo, who recorded three goals and one assist for a team-high four points. Kaylyn Bourque and Catherine Vetter each added two goals, with Vetter also contributing an assist. Emma Patton finished with a goal and an assist, while Makala Dube dished out two assists. Gabriella Mandirola also added a goal to round out the scoring.
Defensively, goalkeeper Briar Slattery played all 60 minutes in net, finishing with seven saves while facing 33 shots, including 17 on goal. She also collected a team-high six ground balls in a strong effort anchoring the Bison defense.
Hartford opened the scoring early in the first quarter and built a 2-0 lead before Bourque got Nichols on the board midway through the frame. The Hawks continued to apply pressure, extending their lead to 4-1 before Patton scored late in the quarter to cut the deficit to 4-2.
In the second quarter, Hartford pushed its lead to 8-3, but Nichols responded with a late surge. Mandirola sparked the run, followed by a man-up goal from Melo and a quick finish from Vetter in the closing seconds, bringing the Bison within two at 8-6 heading into halftime.
Nichols looked to carry that momentum into the second half, but Hartford seized control in the third quarter, outscoring the Bison 6-0 while dominating possession and capitalizing on free-position opportunities to extend the lead to 14-6.
In the fourth quarter, Vetter opened the scoring on a man-up opportunity, and Melo added two more goals to bring Nichols within 16-9. However, Hartford answered with three of the final four goals to secure the 19-9 victory.
The Bison will be back home for their next matchup when they take on conference opponent Western New England on Senior Day at Vendetti Field on April 11th at 4:00 PM.
