LEWISTON, ME. The Bobcats clinched their first win in
NESCAC Saturday afternoon in a 1-0 victory over Williams (2-6, 1-5
NESCAC) improving to a 2-6, 1-5 NESCAC record on the season.
Bates overpowered the Ephs tentative first half play leading to a
1-0 shutout after sophomore Riley Kundtz found the back of the net
less than ten minutes into the competition. Despite a strong
offensive comeback in the second, Williams struggled to convert
ending in another NESCAC loss for the purple cows.
Bates came out with a fast, but focused first half tallying
numerous shots off of an accumulation of penalty corner
opportunities. 9:48 into the first frame senior Bobcat Annie
Wilson dribbled into the circle passing to Kundtz who made good on
a shot attempt for her second game-winning goal of the season
lifting Bates to a 1-0 lead.
With the start of the second, the Ephs increased their offensive
intensity and defensive effort. Williams had a number of shot
opportunities that, unfortunately, never found the back of the
net. At the end of the 70 minute regulation game, the Bobcats
walked away with the 1-0 shutout victory raising Bates and dropping
the Ephs to the same 1-5 conference record. Sophomore Eph
Sarah Eades (Charlotte, NC) was a stand out in the William's
defensive line as a strong contributor against Bates'
hard-hitting offense.
Despite the outcome, Williams outshot the Bobcats 18 to 7 though
Bates had a 9-4 penalty corner advantage.
Senior tri-captain goalkeeper Katrina Tulla (New Canaan, Conn.)
registered 6 saves and one goal allowed in 70 minutes. Senior
Bobcat goalie Katie McEnroe also spent 70 minutes in the cage
tallying 16 saves and no goals allowed.
"Even though Bates capitalized on our tentative moments in
the first by executing their corners and taking good shots, we had
a lot of little victories that collectively contributed to a strong
second half that solely lacked in shot conversion," commented
Coach Alix Burrale.
The Ephs will play at Hamilton next Wednesday at 7PM.
