DUDLEY, Mass. (8/20/2026) - Under the direction of second-year head coach Kelsey Ramsay, Nichols field hockey enters the 2026 season looking to build on the momentum of last year's return to the Conference of New England (CNE) postseason.

With a strong core of returning contributors and an opportunity for continued growth, the Bison will look to take another step forward and make a deeper postseason push.

"Our staff is looking forward to building off of the momentum from last year, and seeing how our off-season training translates into competition" said coach Ramsay. "We have a strong core of returners, along with a talented group of of newcomers that we know will continue to push our program forward this coming season."

The Nichols attack will be led by its top three returning point producers from a season ago. Sophomore Lily Gibson headlines the group after a standout freshman campaign in which she led the Bison with 17 points on six goals and five assists. Junior Emma Bianculli and senior Sofia Calabro each return after recording 14 points in 2025, with Bianculli scoring five goals and Calabro adding five of her own. Senior Katherine Hearn anchors the defensive unit after contributing three defensive saves last fall, along with two goals and an assist. The Bison also return sophomore goalkeeper Jessa Altemose, who started 15 games in 2025 and posted a 5-10 record, a 3.41 goals-against average and 105 saves. Along with their returning athletes, the Bison welcome seven new names to the program this upcoming season.

Nichols finished 6-14 overall and 2-5 in CNE play last season, closing the campaign with four wins in its final five regular season games. The Bison recorded wins over Hartford (2-0), Gordon (3-0), Elms (9-0) and UMass Dartmouth (3-2) during that stretch, providing momentum heading into the offseason.

Nichols opens the 2026 campaign on Tuesday, September 1^st, when the Bison host Fitchburg State University at Michael J. Vendetti Field, with game start set for 7:00 PM.