DUDLEY, Mass. – Against a very tough opponent to start their 2016 season, Mount Ida College scored first and then played Nichols College to overtime before the Bison scored 6:20 into the extra period to hand the Mustangs a 2-1 loss in non-conference field hockey action at Vendetti Field, the season opener for both teams. 

Junior Brianna Kilborn (North Brookfield, Mass.) scored her first goal of the season for Nichols to deliver the win for the home team.  

The Mustangs outshot the Bison 7-2 in the opening half and led 1-0 at the break behind a goal from sophomore Sarah Hemstock (Northford, Conn.), who scored in close from the right side at 31:30. 

Nichols responded with a strong second half, outshooting the Mustangs 8-1, and tied the game on the first collegiate goal from freshman Erin Kelley (Dighton, Mass.) at 46:38. 

Later in the stanza, Kilborn had a pair of scoring chances that nearly put the Bison ahead, only to be denied twice by Mount Ida freshman goalie Grace Ryan (Livermore Falls, Maine). 

In overtime, Kelley got off a shot near the right side that Ryan turned aside, but the rebound came to Kilborn, who put it into the left side of the net for the winner. 

Ryan finished with eight saves in her first action as a collegiate student-athlete. 

Freshman Brooke Misbach (Guilford, Conn.) came on to start the second half in the cage for Nichols and made two saves to earn her first collegiate win. Senior Brooke Marion (South Hadley, Mass.) recorded two defensive saves in the first half for the Bison. 

Today's contest marked the third all-time meeting between Mount Ida College and Nichols College. The win moves the Bison to 3-0 lifetime against the Mustangs.

The Bison host Thomas (ME) at the same time, looking to improve to 2-0.