Wesleyan 14 Bates 12

It's been almost two weeks since we traveled to Middletown, CT and played our last game of the season. We headed to Wesleyan with an opportunity to qualify for the NESCAC tournament and finish the season with a record above .500. Unfortunately, we didn't play a full 60 minutes and came up on the short end of a 14-12 defeat. As a result of the loss, we were nudged out of the NESCAC tournament by Wesleyan, who qualified with their head to head victory over us. Our final record was 7-7, 3-6 in NESCAC.

The game was won for Wesleyan in the early going as their GK was tremendous, making approximately 5 saves before Wesleyan was able to get a couple of quick goals 8 minutes into the contest. After we cut the lead to 2-1, the Cardinal scored 3 straight goals to garner a 5-1 advantage, and they carried a 7-3 lead into the break.

After scoring the first goal of the second half, Wesleyan began to stall and killed some time off the clock. We extended and gave up a few goals to drop into an even bigger hole. After trailing 11-5, we were able to get back within striking distance only to give up a couple more goals late. Finally, with under 2 minutes remianing our shooters came alive and were able to find the back of the net. Although it was too little, too late we were able to put up 5 goals in the last 1:32 of the game for a final score of 14-12.

Completing fanstastic careers for the Bobcats were Elizabeth Denver, Cara Sweeney, and Molly Wagner. Denver and Sweeney were starters on defense for the bulk of their four years and Wagner finished the season with 182 career points, eclipsing the Bates record of 181 points held by Stephanie Smith '87.

All three players have been significant contributors during their time at Bates and they will be missed. Thanks!

Bates 11 Bowdoin 8

In our last home contest of the season, the team came up with their best effort and defeated Bowdoin 11-8. It was the first time since 1993 that Bates has defeated the Polar Bears and it keeps our hopes of qualifying for the NESCAC tournament alive.

The game started slowly for the Bobcats as Bowdoin scored the first two goals of the game to take a 2-0 lead just 4:05 into the contest. From there, however, Bates assumed command of the game and took a 4-2 lead after 4 goals in a span of about 10 minutes. Following a Bowdoin timeout, the Polar Bears cut the lead to 4-3 before Bates went on another run. This time the Bobcats rattled off 3 straight goals to lead 7-3 with 1:43 to go in the half. Never one to go down quietly, Bowdoin was able to tally a goal with 12 seconds remaining and then won the ensuing draw control and scored with 1.8 seconds in the half to trail 7-5 at the break.

As the second half started both teams traded possessions before Bates was able to get on the board with 26:04 remaining to regain an 8-5 advantage. Bowdoin scored two of the next three goals to trail 9-7 with approximately 20 minutes left in the game but following their 7th goal, the Bates defense held the oppoennt scoreless until the 1:01 mark of the game. During this 19 minute stretch, the Bates attack was able to add a couple of tallies to lead 11-7 before Bowdoin's last score made the final result 11-8.

It was a GREAT win for the program and a fitting conclusion to the home career for the Bates seniors in their final performance on the Campus Avenue Turf. Next up is a road contest at Wesleyan with a berth in the NESCAC playoffs on the line.

GO BOBCATS!!

Tufts 13 Bates 12

In our first NESCAC contest in two weeks, the team was geared up and ready to play. The game began on a high note as Bates led 3-0 with 19 minutes left in the first half. Tufts responded with 2 goals before Bates answered for a 4-2 lead. Tufts then scored three straight before Bates scored on a free position shot with just over a minute remaining in the first half. After a save, Bates ran the clock down and the score at the half was 5-5.

The second half turned out to be very similar to the first 30 minutes of play. After each team scored in the first four minutes of play, the Bobcats reeled off three straight to take a 9-6 lead with just under 18 minutes left in the game. Unfortunately, Tufts stormed back with 6 goals of their own to put Bates in a 12-9 hole with 6:02 left to play.

As they've proven time and again, the Bobcats were not going down without a fight. Back to back goals 20 seconds apart brought Bates to within one at 12-11 with 4:33 to play. Following another Tufts goal with 3:46 to play, Bates responded with a goal with 1:29 remaining to bring it to one goal again.

Bates won possession on the ensuing draw control and was able to get a good scoring opportunity out in front that just went wide. On the re-start Bates moved the ball well and was able to draw a free position opportunity with 20 seconds to go. The shot was well placed, but the Tufts GK was up to the task and she preserved the win with a point blank save.

Overall, this was just another typical NESCAC contest with two very good teams going back and forth until the end. Bates #1 goal of reaching the NESCAC playoffs will now come down to the remaining contests at home against Bowdoin and on the road at Wesleyan. First up is Bowdoin Tuesday (4/22) at 7:00 PM at home.

Go BOBCATS!!!

Bates 17 Gordon 8

This past Wednesday the team traveled down to Wenham, MA for a non-conference match up with Gordon College. Gordon is, traditionally, one of the top teams in TCCC and has qualified for the NCAA tournament a few times in the past 5 years.

The game started a little slow for Bates as the Fighting Scots stormed out to leads of 2-0 and 5-3. Bates responded with a 4 goal run midway through the first half to take the lead for good and led at the half 8-6.

In the second half, the teams traded possessions until Gordon finally scored approximately 6 minutes into the half. Bates responded with 2 of the next three goals and led 10-8 with just over 20 minutes remaining. From there on out, the Bates defense held Gordon scoreless and the offense was able to net 7 more goals to win the game 17-8.

Overall, this was another solid effort for Bates as the entire roster was able to get some playing time against a very good opponent.

Bates 20 USM 5

Last Monday, the Bobcats returned to action with a road trip to Gorham and a match up with Southern Maine. This game was only our second on grass this season and first following our exam break.

In the first minute of action, Bates possessed and fired 6 shots on goal...unfortunately, the USM GK made the save each time. Following the last save, USM raced down field and scored to take a brief 1-0 lead. Bates then bounced back with the next 5 goals to assume command of the game and led at halftime 9-3. The offense was clicking and everyone was contributing to the attack. In the second half of play, Bates continued to move the ball well and was able to close out the game with a 20-5 victory.

Defensively, the Bobcats stifled the USM attack with high pressure defense and a swarming zone ride. Overall, this was a very good win for the team as it provided everyone with an opportunity to play, as well as geared the team up for the rest of the season.

EXAM WEEK

We are currently in exams through April 12. 

Play will resume with a contest at USM on Monday April 14. 

Good luck on exams and GO BOBCATS!!! 

BATES 9 CONN. COLLEGE 6

Following the tough loss to Colby, and coming off of the last week of classes, I was unsure of how the team would respond against Conn. College. Although the pace of the game was much slower than we've been accustomed, I had nothing to worry about. 

Our high pressure defense and hard work on the ride were overwhelming advantages and forced Conn. into 20 first half turnovers. We also were able to limit their offense to only 3 shots through the first 30 minutes of play!! On the opposite end of the field, we were facing the best GK in the conference and knew we would have to move the ball effectively to create scoring opportunities. Fortunately, we were able to do so and after the first half held a 5-1 lead. The second half was a defensive battle until the Bobcats finished a transition goal with about 17 minutes remaining. Conn did get the score to 6-3, but the teams played even the rest of the way and the final score ended up 9-6. Overall, it was a very solid win and, considering the emotional and mental demands on the team last week, a performance that I am very proud of the team for.