MATCH PROGRAM (PDF) / 2016 SCHEDULE / FOLLOW THE LYONS

THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke opens its 2016 season on Thursday, welcoming the Bison of Nichols College. It marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs.   

THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (0-0; 0-0 NEWMAC) dives right into its 2016 campaign on Thursday, looking to build on another successful season. In 2015, the Lyons posted a 14-9 overall mark, including a 5-3 effort in NEWMAC play. MHC advanced to the conference semifinals for the second straight season after defeating Wheaton by a 5-0 margin at home in the quarterfinals. It was the sixth NEWMAC Semifinals appearance in program history. The 2016 Lyons, under the direction of 24th-year head coach Aldo Santiago, return seven players from last year's squad, while adding two newcomers.

CAPTAINS: This year, the Lyons will be led by senior captains Alexa Colas (Teaneck, N.J./The Dwight Englewood School) and Amy Chen (Hilo, Hawaii/Hilo).

THE BISON: Nichols (0-0; 0-0 CCC) opens its season Thursday after going 9-6 during the 2015 campaign. The Bison posted a 5-3 record in Commonwealth Coast Conference action, advancing to the CCC Semifinals, before shouldering a 5-1 loss to Endicott. Nichols returns eight members of last year's squad, while adding 12 newcomers to the fold.
 
NEXT UP: The Lyons return to action on Saturday when they open up NEWMAC play in a Battle of the Lyons, heading East for a 1pm contest at Wheaton. Nichols is right back in action at 4pm, heading to Northampton for a 4pm match at Smith.