Box Score DUDLEY, Mass.--Donny Whittle scored the game-winning goal with 4 minutes and 23 seconds remaining as host Nichols held off Western New England, 2-1, in Commonwealth Coast Conference men's soccer action on Saturday at Vendetti Field. The Golden Bears fall to 5-6-2 overall, including 2-2-1 in the CCC, while the Bison improve to 7-5 and 3-2 in the conference.

Coming off the bench, freshman Colin Macdonald put Western New England on the scoreboard in the 74th minute when he headed in a crossing pass from junior tri-captain Kevin Parma. The game was knotted 1-all at that point.

Both sides looked to grab an early lead. Western New England's Mike Wysocki attempted to put the visitors ahead with just 3:48 elapsed in the contest only to have the shot go wide. In the 15th minute, Whittle sent a free kick to the left of the wall and fired it at the net where senior tri-captain Nick Starr made the stop. Nichols senior Andrew Conklin tested Starr with a one-on-one chance in the 41st minute as the visiting goalkeeper made the point-blank save.

The opening half ended without a goal while Nichols had a slim 7-4 edge in shots and took the only corner kick of the frame.

Nichols led 1-0 in the 58th minute as Fred Willard dribbled the ball through the defense and found the back of the net.

Starr ended up with seven saves and gave WNE a chance to win.

Whittle, a freshman, leads the Bison with eight goals--including four of the game-winning variety--on the season.