MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- The Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team held Bates College scoreless over nearly the entire second half, and came back from an 8-7 deficit to win 9-8 in both teams' NESCAC season opener on Saturday.

Coming out of a 7-7 halftime tie, Bates junior Katherine Farmer (Madison, Conn.) put the Bobcats ahead 8-7 with an unassisted goal, her second of the game, 22 seconds into the second half. But Wesleyan's Becky Meredith evened the game with 21 minutes to play with her second goal. And after a 15-minute stretch without a score, the Cardinals' Amanda Belichick scored the game-winner, her second goal of the game, off a Meredith assist.

Farmer and sophomore Molly Wagner (Longmeadow, Mass.) each scored twice for Bates (2-1, 0-1 NESCAC). Senior Shannon Tully (Needham, Mass.) had a goal and an assist. Rachel Harmeling, Julie Berman and Jeanne Lothrop added goals, and Katie Unger had one assist.

Meredith led the Cardinals (3-0, 1-0 NESCAC) with two goals and two assists. Belichick, Laura Siegle and Laurel Sticklor all scored twice, while Schuyler Swenson registered two assists.

Bates sophomore Katie Nickerson (Windham, N.H.) had seven saves, while Wesleyan's Kate Jones had 18 saves, as Bates outshot Wesleyan 26-16.

Bates plays at the university of New England on March 22 at 4:30 p.m.

SCORE BY PERIOD       1  2  Tot

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Bates College.......  7  1 -  8

Wesleyan University.  7  2 -  9

Bates College SCORING: GOALS: Molly Wagner 2; Katherine Farmer 2; Shannon Tully 1; Rachel Harmeling 1; Julie Berman 1; Jeanne Lothrop 1.

ASSISTS: Shannon Tully 1; Katie Unger 1.

Wesleyan University SCORING: GOALS: Becky Meredith 2; Amanda Belichick 2; Laura Siegle 2; Laurel Sticklor 2; Sophia Kim 1.

ASSISTS: Becky Meredith 2; Schuyler Swenson 2; Amanda Belichick 1; Jade Scott 1.

SHOTS ON GOAL - Bates College 26; Wesleyan University 16.

GOALIES - BAT: Katie Nickerson 1-1 (60:00 minutes, 16 shots-7 saves, 9 GA); WES: Kate Jones 3-0 (60:00, 26-18, 8).