Nichols Edges Women’s Lacrosse in Overtime 17-16

Framingham, Mass. – Senior Erica Antonison (Albertson, NY) tallied six goals including the game-winner in overtime as the Nichols College Bison erased a four goal second half deficit to take a 17-16 overtime victory over the Framingham State University Rams this evening in non-conference action at Maple Street Field.   

With the win, the Bison improve to 5-9 on the season, while the loss drops the Rams to 7-5.

Nichols jumped out to a 5-1 lead 10 minutes into the first half behind a pair of goals from Alyssa Bufis (Linden, NJ) including a free position shot with 21 minutes remaining.  Senior Zoe Reilly (Boyertown, PA) carried the ball the length of the field for the Rams second goal with 10:41 remaining, but a free position shot by Brooke Marion (South Hadley, Mass.) pushed the Bison's lead back to four. The Rams closed the half three straight goals including a pair from junior Stephanie Leonard (Framingham, Mass.) to pull within one at the break.

The Rams opened the second half with five straight goals to take a 10-6 lead with just over 22 minutes remaining.  Reilly connected for four markers on the run including a free position shot. Senior Grace Murphy (Montclair, VA) stopped the run with a free position shot with 18 minutes remaining.

A pair of free position shots by sophomore Kayla Hopkins (Lakeville, Mass.) gave the Rams a 13-9 lead with 10 minutes on the clock.  Nichols rattled off four straight goals including one from Antonison with 17 seconds on the clock to tie the game and force overtime. 

In overtime, Reilly put the Rams on top with a goal just 12 seconds in, but Antonison tallied two straight to put the visitors back on top by one.  Reilly and freshman Morghan Cassella (Lowell, Mass.) scored back-to-back for the Rams putting the host back up one, but Antonison scored unassisted twice just ten seconds apart to seal the victory for the Bison. Leonard has a free position shot for the Rams with 50 seconds remaining, but failed to connect.

The Bison outshot the Rams 34-29 in the game, but the Rams held a 26-22 edge in ground balls.  Sophomore Katherine Cotton (Kennebunk, Maine) earned the victory for the Bison making eight saves, while junior Alysha Kenyon (Waltham, Mass.) took the loss despite making nine stops.

The Rams are back in action Saturday morning when they host Massachusetts Maritime Academy at 10 a.m., while the Bison host Gordon on Saturday at 11 a.m.