By: Tom Maguire, Beat Writer Bates College
The #13 ranked Bates Bobcats women’s lacrosse team pushed past Williams 14-5 today in Williamstown MA in a NESCAC matchup. With the game level at 2-2 after 15 minutes of play, the Bobcats settled themselves to a 4-2 halftime lead and outscored Williams 10-3 in the second half helped by limiting their turnovers and taking a 9-5 draw control advantage.
Williams was first on the board as senior Natalie Gill (Medfield MA) bounced a shot high corner at 28:15 for a 1-0 Williams lead. Bates knotted the game seven minutes later at 21:16 after hitting a post and crossbar with Emma Noto firing into the top right corner while cutting left on a nice feed from senior Moriah Greenstein (Glenmont NY). Williams kept the pressure on and took a 2-1 lead at 17:28 on a low right corner shot by senior Alyssa Maddalone (Newtown PA). Greenstein leveled the game at 2-2 on a free position shot. Sophomore Teal Otley (Cumberland ME) put the Bobcats ahead on a free position at 12:17 of the fist half. Junior Drew Barry (Portland ME) gave the ‘Cats a two goal cushion to close the half on a double pump shot after taking a high pass from junior Kaileigh Maguire (Sudbury MA).
Bates opened the second half with three scores in the first eight minutes followed by two strong goals by the determined Ephs. The Bobcats then reeled off seven scores to put the game away.
At 62 seconds in the second half, senior Alex Briody (North Kingstown RI) put away a top corner unassisted goal on a nimble reverse direction move. Greenstein made it 6-2 at 26:01 on an individual curl move to the glove side. Greenstein notched her third goal of the game at 22:00 on a free position give and go pass from Briody.
Williams showed grit as they battled back to 7-3 with senior Anne Rehfuss (Latham NY) burying a cutting one timer on a nice high pass from junior Jenna Chodos (Wilmington DE). A free position goal by sophomore Olivia Polk at 10:30 brought Williams within striking distance at 7-4. With just over 10 minutes left, Williams double teamed the ball as they desperately needed turnovers. The Bobcats successfully spread out the field and quickly transitioned the ball to the offense side. Bates began a seven score string to close out the game.
Drew Barry scored an unassisted goal curling around the net at 8:38. Greenstein converted at 7:54 on a nice pass from behind the net from first year Sydney Howard (Ashland MA) at 7:54 to bring the score to 9-4. Drew Barry completed her hat trick 50 seconds later at the corner of the net on a sharp pass from Alex Briody. Belletete received a 30 ft pass from Maguire at the side of the net and put it away at 6:08 for an 11-4 lead. Howard scored a nice unassisted goal curling around the net at 4:05. Greenstein notched a full handful of goals on the day at 3:06 with her fifth score on an assist from Howard. First year Lili Brown (Darien CT) closed out the Bobcats scoring outburst with a free position shot at 2:23 remaining in the game. Williams added a goal at 1:14 as junior Katie Gallop won a ground ball scrum with the Bates goalie and put it away to make the final score 14-5.
Bobcat tracks:
*Bates has averaged 4.25 goals against average in their 4 NESCAC contests thus far this season.
*Camille Belletete (Jaffrey NH) had a game high 8 draw controls.
*Moriah Greenstein netted 5 goals and Drew Barry added a hat trick.
*Goalie Hannah Jeffrey had 10 saves on 15 shots plus 2 ground balls.
Bates (7-1, 3-1 NESCAC) hosts Southern Maine on Tuesday, March 29. Williams (4-4, 2-2 NESCAC) travels to Tufts April 6.
Tom Maguire, Beat Writer Bates College
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