LEWISTON, Maine – Senior Jenna Benson's first goal of the season got the Bates College women's soccer team started en route to a 2-0 defeat of Middlebury in a NESCAC game Saturday at Russell Street Field.

Benson's shot from 25 yards out near the corner of the penalty box in the 21st minute came soon after a missed penalty shot for Middlebury, and the Panthers (6-3-2, 3-2-2 NESCAC) were unable to regroup.

The lead doubled midway through the second half as Kim Alexander’s (Cumberland, Maine) shot deflected off the hands of Middlebury goalkeeper Adele Plunkett and over her head into the goal. It was Alexander's 11th goal, keeping her near the top of the NESCAC scoring list.

Bates (9-3, 5-2) outshot Middlebury 25-11. Nini Spalding (San Francisco) made a dozen saves in goal to earn the shutout, while Plunkett made 14 saves for Middlebury.

SCORING SUMMARY

B-1st (20:47) – Jenna Benson

B-2nd (66:18) – Kim Alexander

GOALKEEPING SUMMARY

Adele Plunkett-M (90 min., 14 saves, 2 GA)

Nini Spalding-B (90 min., 12 saves, 0 GA)

CORNER KICKS: Middlebury 3, Bates 7

SHOTS: Middlebury 11, Bates 25