Photo by Meagan Drabik
Photo by Meagan Drabik

Tortorici hat trick trumped by Bison

DUDLEY, Mass. – Junior Erica Antonison (Albertson, N.Y.) and freshman Brooke Marion (South Hadley, Mass.) each scored three goals to lift the Nichols College women's lacrosse team to a 13-8 win over Salve Regina University Wednesday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at Vendetti Field.

Juniors Grace Murphy (Montclair, Va.) and Sam MacMillan (Bridgewater, Mass.) each potted a pair of goals as the Bison improved to 7-4 (2-2 CCC) with the win. The seven wins equals the programs' highest win total, set back in 2012.

Junior Gina Tortorici (Deer Park, N.Y.) registered a hat trick for the Seahawks (3-10, 0-6 CCC), who also received pair of goals seniors Grace Kelly (Auburn, N.Y.) and Karley Malenczak (Sayville, N.Y.).

The Bison jumped out to a 6-0 lead behind two goals each from Marion and Antonison. Salve Regina closed the half by scoring four of the next six goals to enter the break down by four (8-4). Tortorici netted a pair for the visitors while Malenczak and freshman Kaitlin Gillespie (Haddam, Conn.) each scored once.

Antonison and sophomore Alexa Smith (Salem, N.H.) scored back-to-back goals to open the second half as Nichols moved in front 10-4. The Seahawks answered with three-straight goals – including a pair from Kelly – to close to within three at 10-7 with 21:34 remaining in the half. A free position goal from Marion and a marker from freshman Kelly Downey (Waltham, Mass.) helped the Bison extend their lead to 12-7, and goals by Malenczak at 18:31 and MacMillan at 2:17 closed the scoring.

Nichols outshot the Seahawks 32-24 and forced 25 turnovers. Freshman Katherine Cotton (Kennebunk, Maine) recorded nine saves to earn her seventh win of the season. Senior Josephine O'Reilly (Middletown, R.I.) stopped 13 shots for Salve Regina.

Murphy and junior Stephanie Mathewson (Simsbury, Conn.) each collected six ground balls while Antonison won six draw controls. Freshman Amanda Lachat (South Hadley, Mass.) led all SRU field players with four ground balls while junior Sarah Woods (East Lyme, Conn.) tallied five draw controls.

The Bison play at UNE Saturday at 4 p.m. The Seahawks host Endicott Saturday at 4:30 p.m.