LEWISTON, Maine — Stacey Watkins (St. Louis, Mo.) scored on a penalty corner with 2:05 remaining, assisted by Erika Goodwin (Whitehouse Station, N.J.) and Jennie Williamson (Sudbury, Mass.), to give Tufts University (4-3) a 1-0 victory over Bates College (2-4) in New England Small College Athletic Conference play Saturday. 

Tufts had 11 shots to Bates' one in the first half as Bobcat goalie Sarah Judice (Granby, Conn.) made six saves, nine total.

In the second half, both teams went on the attack with Tufts garnering six offensive corners to Bates' four. The sixth Jumbo corner proved to be the deciding play of the game. Goodwin sent the ball to the top of the circle, where Williamson stopped the ball and Watkins put the shot into the far corner of the net. 

Bates pinned Tufts in its own end from then on but the Jumbo defense held.

Though Bates was unable to capitalize on multiple fast breaks, the Bobcats kept the pressure on in the midfield aided by strong play from sophomore defender Sarah Peters (Acton, Mass.).

Tufts improves to 3-1 in NESCAC; Bates drops to 1-3. Bates faces Husson College on Wednesday; Tufts hosts Babson Thursday.