Nichols College Athletics

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (9/12/2026) - The Nichols College men's soccer team opened Conference of New England (CNE) play in impressive fashion Saturday afternoon, earning a 3-1 victory over Western New England University at Suprenant Field.

With the win, the Bison improve to 4-2-0 overall and 1-0-0 in CNE play, while the Golden Bears fall to 1-2-2 overall and 0-1-0 in conference action.

Nichols wasted little time finding the scoreboard, as sophomore Ethan Knowles struck just 1:53 into the contest to give the Bison an early 1-0 advantage. Nichols carried the lead into halftime despite Western New England generating 12 shots in the opening 45 minutes.

Goalkeeper Anthony Grguric helped keep the Bison in front throughout the first half, making four saves before the intermission.

Knowles added to the Nichols lead early in the second half, converting a penalty kick in the 54th minute to push the Bison advantage to 2-0. The goal marked Knowles' second of the afternoon and gave him three goals through the first six matches of the season.

Western New England answered in the 64th minute when Ben Riley found the back of the net off an assist from Junior Beyoko, cutting the Nichols lead to 2-1.
The Bison responded just under four minutes later. Knowles turned provider in the 68th minute, setting up Brody Figiela for his first goal of the season to restore Nichols' two-goal advantage at 3-1.

Grguric and the Nichols defense then held off a late Golden Bears push. Western New England finished the afternoon with 28 shots, including 10 on target, but Grguric turned aside all but one of those attempts to finish with nine saves.

The Golden Bears continued to apply pressure throughout the final 20 minutes, but Nichols remained organized defensively and held on for the conference-opening victory.
Western New England finished with a 28-6 advantage in shots and a 9-2 edge in corner kicks, while Nichols placed four of its six shots on target.
Knowles led the Bison attack with two goals and one assist, while Figiela added a goal. Grguric's nine saves marked a season high for the Nichols goalkeeper.
Nichols returns to action Tuesday, September 16, when the Bison host Rivier Univeristy at Nichols Soccer Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.