GORHAM, Maine  --  The Bates College Bobcats scored twice in the first half, then played solid defense en route to a 2-0 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-conference men's soccer match Tuesday afternoon at the USM Soccer Field.

The win was the sixth straight for the Bobcats, who are now 6-1-1 overall. Southern Maine, shut out for the sixth consecutive match, slips to 1-7-2 overall.

Senior forward Terence O'Connell (Greenwich, Conn.) put the visiting Bobcats on top in the 19th minute when he ran onto a cross from junior midfielder Kyle Rushton (Windham, N.H.) and chipped a shot over USM's on-rushing junior goalkeeper Chris Willard (Hampton, Conn.). The goal was the eighth of the season for O'Connell.

Senior midfielder David Shear (Concord, Mass.) made it 2-0 in the 36th minute with his third goal of the season, when his shot back across the goal eluded Willard. Junior defender George Carr (Concord, Mass.) picked up the assist.

Bates used two goalkeepers, sophomores Aaron Schleicher (Londonderry, N.H.) and Rob Munro (Walpole, Mass.), during the match. Neither had to register a save as the Bobcat defense limited the Huskies to three shots.  Willard was credited with no saves in the match. The Bobcats finished with a 12-3 edge in total shots and a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Bates travels to Williams College for a NESCAC match on Saturday.

Bates  (6-1-1)  2  0 -- 2

USM  (1-7-2)   0  0 -- 0

SCORING:

BATES -- Terence O'Connell (Kyle Rushton) 18:50

BATES - David Shear (George Carr) 35:02

GOALIE SAVES:  Bates, Aaron Schleicher 0 saves (88 minutes, 0 GA), Rob Munro 0 saves (2 minutes, 0 GA); USM, Chris Willard 0 saves (90 minutes, 2 GA)

SHOTS:  Bates 12 , USM 3        

CORNER KICKS:  Bates 5, USM 2