Allison Marshall '07

Carolyn King '07

Sarah Sprague '07

BOX SCORE: New England College 3, Bates 2

LEWISTON, Maine -- Jodie Dresser's unassisted goal with 2:54 left capped a comeback that gave New England College a 3-2 non-league field hockey victory over Bates College on Thursday evening.

Dresser's individual move to the outside freed up space to shoot the game-winner from 15 yards out as the Pilgrims (16-2) won their eighth straight game.

NEC's Megan Simula tied the game at 2-2 with under 14 minutes remaining on a penalty corner, assisted by Lori Zaniboni.

Bates (5-8) scored the game's first goal just two minutes in, an unassisted tally by senior Allison Marshall (Princeton, N.J.). But NEC's Brittney Vogrin notched her 25th goal this season just two minutes later, assisted by Dresser, to even the game at 1 apiece.

Bates senior Carolyn King (Hanover, Mass.) broke the 1-1 stalemate with 23:31 left in regulation, from the middle of a post-penalty corner scrum. Bates threatened with several good opportunities in the ensuing minutes, dominating a game that was otherwise evenly played. But after two tough saves by NEC senior Jacqui Parker (15 saves), momentum swung over to the Pilgrims, setting the stage for their late-game comeback.

Bates senior Sarah Sprague (Cleveland, Ohio) had 12 saves in the game.

The teams were even with 22 shots apiece, while NEC held an 8-5 advantage in penalty corners.

NEC will play as the top seed in this weekend's Commonwealth Coast Conference playoffs. Bates will host Colby College Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Bobcats' season finale.