Azevedo Strikes First Despite Loss
DUDLEY, Mass. – Sophomore Kate Dyson (Danielson, Conn.) and junior Chelsea Shaughnessy (Halifax, Mass.) each netted a goal and an assist to lead the Nichols College women's soccer team to a 7-1 victory over visiting Bay Path College in a non-conference game at Vendetti Field Thursday evening. The duo paced nine Bison players who recorded at least one point in the win, bringing Nichols' record to 4-1 on the year. The Wildcats are still searching for their first win on the season at 0-5.
First year midfielder/defender Sarah Azevedo (East Longmeadow, Mass.) struck first for the visitors, lofting in a high shot in the fourth minute to break a season-long scoreless streak for the Wildcats.
Maria DiTommaso (Rindge, N.H.) knotted the game with a low shot that deflected off of the legs of Wildcats keeper Janise Shabazz (New Castle, Del.) in the 17th minute, and Katelyn Delaney (Weymouth, Mass.) put the Bison ahead for good eight minutes later. Kaitlyn DiBuono (Auburn, N.H.) connected with Shaughnessy in the 27th minute to cap the first half's scoring as the Bison carried a 3-1 advantage into the break.
It took just over five minutes into the second stanza for Bison forward Starleena Cash (Springfield, Mass.) to dribble past a defender and score from 10 yards out, giving Nichols a 4-1 lead.
A short pass from Brittany Tremont (Guilford, Conn.) found the foot of Holly Ventura (Hudson, Mass.) at the doorstep in the 66th minute before Shaughnessy found Dyson in the center of the box on a corner set for another tally just over 10 minutes later. Laurel Houle (Brooklyn, Conn.) capped the scoring after taking a leading pass from Dyson in the 83rd minute and finishing it off for her first goal of the season.
Nichols keeper Maureen Lynch (Holbrook, Mass.) made three saves in the win, while Shabazz stopped six Bison shots. Nichols held a 29-5 advantage in shots to go with a 7-0 lead in corner kicks.
Nichols returns to The Commonwealth Coast Conference action Saturday with a noon game against New England College on Vendetti Field. Bay Path hosts Wells Sunday at 1 p.m at Ryan Field.
Courtesy of Nichols Sports Information
