Box Score

DUDLEY, Mass. – Junior Erica Antonison (Albertson, Mass.) scored five goals for the Nichols College women's lacrosse team, which opened the 2014 campaign with a 16-8 win over Mount Ida College in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at Vendetti Field.

Juniors Alyssa Bufis (Linden, N.J.) and Grace Murphy (Montclair, Va.) each potted four goals for the Bison while sophomore Alexa Smith (Salem, N.H.) registered three goals. Freshman Katherine Cotton (Kennebunk, Maine) recorded three saves to earn her first collegiate win.

Senior Molly Sheppard (Brookhaven, N.Y.) and freshman Rebecca Beaulieu (Weare, N.H.) each scored twice for the Mustangs (1-3), who were outshot 41-13. Junior Sammy Levitt (Wayland, Mass.) was credited with 16 saves.

Nichols raced out to a 5-0 lead behind two goals each from Smith and Bufis and led 8-5 at the break. Five different Mount Ida student-athletes scored in the first half while Bufis and Smith each finished the half with three goals.

Mount Ida climbed to within three at 11-8 following a goal by freshman Nicole Pavao (Peabody, Mass.) midway through the second half before the Bison closed the game with five-straight goals. Murphy and Antonison each had a pair down the stretch while Bufis tallied her fourth.

"I was very proud of our team today for controlling the pace of the game," said Nichols head coach Damir Pesa. "Our transition game was great and I was very happy with the accuracy of our passing. We need to communicate a little better on defense and maintain our intensity for the entire game."

Senior Shelby Aminti (Pepperell, Mass.) collected six ground balls and caused four turnovers for the Bison. Antonison, meanwhile, also had six ground balls to go along with three caused turnovers. Senior Alison Koning (Carlisle, Mass.) led the Mustangs with five ground balls and four turnovers.

The Bison play at Smith Monday at 4 p.m. The Mustangs host Salem State Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.