Rachel Greenwood '08

Samantha Rothkopf '10

Erin Chandler '08

HENNIKER, N.H. -- The Bates College field hockey team suffered its third straight loss by one goal Wednesday in a non-conference match-up against the New England College Pilgrims. Bates fell to 5-6-1 (2-5 NESCAC) while NEC improved to 10-6 (5-1 TCCC).

The Pilgrims struck first just six minutes into the game on the first of two goals in the game from senior forward Amanda Lester (Columbia, Conn.). But Bates quickly answered with a goal of their own by junior forward Rachel Greenwood (Williamstown, Mass.). Greenwood took a shot on net that was saved by NEC sophomore goalkeeper Mary Roux (Auburn, Mass.), but picked up her own rebound and buried it in the back of the net for an unassisted tally. The rest of the game seemed to follow a similar pattern, with Bates and NEC trading goals until the last eight minutes of the game.

Lester was involved in three of the four goals for the Pilgrims on the day. After scoring the first goal unassisted, she shared the wealth by assisting first-year forward Samantha Escobar (Rumney, N.H.) 14 minutes into the game to put the Pilgrims up 2-1. Escobar's shot sailed just beneath first-year goaltender Katie McEnroe's (Hockessin, Del.) left arm on a pretty lift. Again, the Bobcats would answer with less than five minutes to play in the half to tie it up 2-2 going into halftime. Sophomore defender Sammy Rothkopf (Chicago, Ill.) received the ball at the top of the circle from Greenwood on a penalty corner and took a direct shot that beat NEC goaltender Roux.

With the game tied 2-2 after the half, both teams came out looking to battle it out for 35 minutes for the win. Lester took part in her third straight goal of the game to put the Pilgrims up 3-2 15 minutes into the second half. Lester's second goal of the game came off an assist from junior defender Courtney Pritcher (Biddeford, Maine).

Bates tied it up for the third time of the game less than 10 minutes later when senior forward Erin Chandler (Thornton, Pa.) scored her third goal of the season off an assist from first-year forward Sema Kazarian (Providence, R.I.).

Although Bates held the edge in shots, 15-9, and penalty corners, 14-10, the Pilgrims held on for the victory. First-year midfielder Kate Carnaroli (Bellingham, Mass.) beat Bates sophomore goaltender Helena Turner (Manchester, Mass.) with the game winner off an assist from senior midfielder Jackie Brown (Salisbury, Mass.) with eight minutes remaining in the game.

Bates first-half goaltender McEnroe made three saves while sophomore goaltender Turner made one save in net. NEC goaltender Roux had nine saves for the win.

The Bobcats will host Middlebury College in a NESCAC contest with postseason implications on Homecoming Saturday at 12 p.m.

BOX SCORE: New England College 4, Bates 3