THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke hosts non-conference foe Nichols College Tuesday evening (7:00 p.m.) at the Mount Holyoke Turf Field. In five previous meetings between the programs, the Lyons own a 3-2 advantage. After prevailing in their first three contests against the Bison, they have fallen in each of the last two. Nichols picked up a 2-0 victory when the two squads tangled last fall. Match Program

THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (4-4, 1-2 NEWMAC) exploded out of the gate, winning four of its first five matches. After suffering heartbreaking setbacks at Wellesley College (2-1) and Amherst College (1-0), the Lyons were downed by Wheaton College (3-1) on Saturday. Led by goalkeeper Katie Gibson, their stingy defense has surrendered just nine goals this season. The junior has posted a goals against average of 1.11 and a save percentage of .820 in 569 minutes played. With her four shutouts this year, she now has 11 in her career. On the offensive end, forward Shara Robertson has amassed 18 points on eight goals and two assists. She was named NEWMAC Player of the Week on September 20. Robertson has recorded two of her four career hat tricks over Mount Holyoke's first eight contests this fall. The Lyons have also received solid production from forward Jess Fajardo and defender Tricia Chase, who have collected two goals and two assists apiece. Meanwhile, midfielder Taylor Hedges has dished out a team best three assists.

THE BISON: Nichols (8-2, 4-0 TCCC) Nichols has racked up eight wins over its first 10 outings of the 2010 campaign. With their 2-0 victory over Western New England College on Saturday, the Bison extended their winning streak to three. Forwards Chelsea Correia and Barbara Roy have recorded 20 points apiece to lead the way. Five of Correia's nine goals have gone down as winners, and she has also chipped in with a pair of assists. Meanwhile, Roy has collected eight goals and four helpers. Two of her tallies have been match winners. Fellow forward Eileen Clinton has totaled five goals and three assists, while midfielder Lauren Correia has added four goals and three assists. Krista-Jean Forand has been Nichols' featured goalkeeper. In 341 minutes played, she has compiled a goals against average of 1.02 and a save percentage of .839. She has posted a record of 4-1, including two shutouts. As a team, the Bison have outscored their opponents 35-11. 

NEXT UP: Mount Holyoke will resume its New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) slate on Saturday, when it visits Babson College at 6:00 p.m. Nichols is scheduled to host Anna Maria College  for a Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) tilt on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.