DUDLEY, Mass. (9/28/2026) - Sophomore forward
Avery Morse recorded a hat trick, and the Nichols College men's soccer team scored twice in the second half to pull away from the University of New England, 4-2, Monday evening at Michael J. Vendetti Field.
The victory marked the Bison's second consecutive win and third straight at home, as Nichols improved to 6-3-0 overall and 2-1-0 in Conference of New England (CNE) play. UNE fell to 3-5-2 overall and 0-2-1 in conference action.
Morse was the difference-maker from the opening whistle, finding the back of the net three times while registering five shots and three shots on goal. His three-goal performance marked his first hat trick as a Bison and gave him four goals on the season.
The Bison wasted little time establishing themselves offensively. Morse opened the scoring in the 16th minute, giving Nichols a 1-0 advantage. Just over four minutes later, Morse struck again, this time finishing a sequence set up by Ethan Knowles and Evan Giannini to double the Bison lead in the 20th minute.
UNE answered with two goals of its own to bring the match level before halftime. Reaves Debin scored in the 24th minute, followed by Haukur Karlsson in the 32nd minute off an assist from Ethan Berry. Despite surrendering the two-goal advantage, Nichols entered halftime tied at 2-2.
The Bison responded immediately after the break.
With just over 12 minutes gone in the second half, Morse completed his hat trick. The sophomore forward's third goal of the evening came in the 58th minute, restoring Nichols' lead at 3-2 and giving the Bison the momentum they needed to seize control of the match.
UNE continued to pressure the Bison throughout the second half, firing 13 shots after intermission, but Nichols goalkeeper Anthony Grguric repeatedly came up with answers. Grguric made all six of his saves in the second half, including stops on shots from Beckett Shanahan, Ronan Donaghey, Ethan Berry, Corbin Schreindorfer and Jonah Daigle.
Nichols ultimately put the match out of reach in the final minute.
With just 34 seconds remaining, freshman forward Nick Reilly found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season. Brody Figiela provided the assist on the 90th-minute insurance tally, sending the Bison home with a 4-2 victory.
The Bison finished the evening with an 18-17 advantage in shots, while UNE held a 9-5 edge in shots on goal. Nichols also limited its opponent to only four fouls while earning two corner kicks.
Morse led the Bison attack with three goals on five shots, while Reilly added a goal and Figiela contributed an assist. Knowles finished with three shots and an assist, while Giannini also recorded an assist. Grguric's six saves helped Nichols withstand UNE's second-half pressure and secure its sixth victory of the season.
The victory continues a strong stretch for Nichols, which has now won three of its last four matches. The Bison previously defeated Fitchburg State, 1-0, on Sept. 23, with Reilly scoring the game-winning goal with 1:37 remaining in regulation.
Morse's hat-trick marks the first since
William Pugliese-Savage's against Mass. Maritime Academy (9/13/2022). Now 2-1 in conference play, the Bison sit at the top of the standings with their best start since the 2019 season.
Nichols will remain at home Wednesday when it hosts Clark University at 4:00 PM at Nichols Soccer Field.
