WORCESTER, Mass. – Second half goals from Chris Noga (Belchertown, Mass.) and Cody Wasilewski (Tolland, Conn.) lifted the Nichols College Bisons over the Worcester State Lancers 2-1 in non-conference action Tuesday night at John Coughlin Stadium.
With the win, the Bisons advance to 5-4-1 on the season, while the Lancers dip to 3-4.
It wasn't until the 41st minute that the first goal of the game was scored when Worcester State defenseman Matthew Dent (Ludlow, Mass.) arched a long ball from the midfield into the Lancers' scoring zone. Freshman Mitzschael Myrthil (Clinton, Mass.) got a handle on the ball and placed the ball in net for his first-ever collegiate goal.
Following the intermission, Nichols College came out looking for their chance and found it in the 56th minute when Noga took two back-to-back shots on Worcester's goalkeeper, Henri Guilmette (Franklin, Mass.) and eventually sunk the ball into the left corner on the put-back.
The Bisons took the lead in the 65th minute when Wasilewski once again put away a ball off a Worcester State save into the goal.
The Lancers fired back with a few shots and came incredibly close with just two seconds on the clock when Worcester's Ryan Almeida (Palmer, Mass.) fired a desperation shot from 45 yards out on the right side. The shot looked as if it would slide into the top of the goal, though the Bisons' keeper, Patrick Porpora (Westminster, Mass.) registered his seventh save of the night with a punch to close out with the win.
Porpora moves to 3-3 in goal after his 90 minutes in goal. On the opposing end, Guilmette suffered his second loss of the season in a five-save performance.
The Lancers and Bisons registered 12 and 13 shots, respectively, throughout the game. Though, Nichols College held a 4-2 margin in corner kicks throughout the game.
The Lancers return to action on Saturday (Oct. 1) when they travel to Fitchburg State for a MASCAC game. The Bisons return then as well when they host Endicott in a conference matchup at 11 a.m.