Mia Lidofsky '09 made nine saves for Bates, allowing just one goal to get by.

SOMERVILLE, Mass. -- Tufts University junior Martha Furtek (East Falmouth, Mass.) rifled a pass from sophomore Abby Werner (Norfolk, Va.) into the net for the decisive strike in the Jumbos' 1-0 NESCAC women's soccer victory over Bates College to celebrate Homecoming Day at Kraft Field on Saturday.

Last year's NESCAC Championship finalists battled evenly for most of the game, but Furtek's third goal of the year from the top of the box in the 67th minute gave Tufts the edge over their rivals. The win was the second straight for the Jumbos and their first in the conference. Tufts (2-2-2, 1-1-2 NESCAC) had opened the season winless in its first four matches. The defeat was the first in three games for Bates, which dropped to 5-3 overall and 2-3 NESCAC.

The Jumbo defense recorded its second straight shutout and third of the year. Senior tri-captain Annie Ross (Newton, Mass.) finished with seven saves for the victory. It was the first time the Bobcats were blanked this season and they had scored nine goals in their previous two games.

Tufts created more offensive opportunities, finishing with a 16-13 advantage in shots and 6-4 in corner kicks. They forced Bates sophomore keeper Mia Lidofsky (Providence, R.I.) to make nine saves. Furtek finished with five shots overall, including three on goal.

Junior Molly Wagner (Longmeadow, Mass.) and senior Kim Alexander (Cumberland, Maine) both had three shots (two on goal) for the Bobcats.

Tufts was the last team to shut out the Bobcats with a 1-0 victory in the NCAA Tournament last November. Bates had won the 2005 NESCAC title on Kraft against Tufts with a 2-1 final in two overtimes.

Bates next hosts Williams during Parents & Family Weekend on Oct. 7 at 11 a.m.

BOX SCORE: Tufts 1, Bates 0