DUDLEY, Mass. – Freshman Brendan Coates scored three goals to propel the Nichols College men's lacrosse team to an 11-4 win over Rivier College Wednesday afternoon in non-conference action at Vendetti Field.
 
Junior Brayden Carroll handed out four assists, and senior MacKenzie Martin and junior Casey Campanale each scored twice as the Bison moved to 2-0 for the second-consecutive season. Junior Sean Brady scored twice for the Raiders (0-1), who were outshot 47-32.
 
The Bison held a 3-1 lead after one behind goals from Coates, C. Campanale, and freshman Jeffrey Wenzel. Coates and graduate student Reece O'Connor potted goals in the second to extend the lead to 6-3 at the half; NC outshot the Raiders 15-4 in the second quarter.
 
The two schools engaged in a defensive struggle in the third with the only goal coming off the stick of Martin, his third of the season. Tallies from Martin and junior Jack Campanale to open the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 8-3 and, following a goal from Rivier junior Colby Larson, the Bison ripped off three-straight to close the game, including the first of the season for sophomore longstick Hugh O'Donnell.
 
Senior Brian McKinley stopped 11 shots to record his second win of the season. Junior Matt Cloutman registered 10 saves for the Raiders (0-1) in defeat. O'Donnell and freshman Dominic Ambrosino led Nichols with four ground balls while sophomore Jack Nordin picked up a game-high five for the visitors.
 
All-Time Series
Today's contest marked the fifth all-time meeting between Nichols College and Rivier College. With today's win, the Bison have won two-straight and now lead the series, 3-2.