Aaron Schleicher '08

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The MIT men's soccer team remained undefeated at home courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over non-conference opponent Bates College on Thursday afternoon at Steinbrenner Stadium. Junior tri-captain Andrew Bishara's 73rd minute free kick found the back of the net and the Engineers' defense held firm, as the Cardinal and Gray moved to 4-0-1 at home and 5-2-1 overall.

Bates dropped to 1-4-1 with the loss. The Bobcats became the second NESCAC team to fall to Tech this season, as the Engineers also defeated Tufts University, 2-1, earlier this campaign.

Bates will host Tufts on Saturday at 2 p.m. as part of Parents and Family Weekend.

Though chances were limited for both sides in the opening half, each team had the misfortune of having a goal ruled out for offsides. The Bobcats held a slight 5-4 shot advantage in the first stanza.

Rookie Matt Talpe nearly opened the scoring for MIT in the 48th minute, but was denied by a strong save from Bates senior goalkeeper Aaron Schleicher (Londonderry, N.H.). Following a fortuitous deflection, Talpe found himself with the ball at his feet six yards out to the left of goal, but his low drive was beaten away.

The Engineers continued to pour players forward looking for a winner, and they finally received their reward in the 73rd minute. Bishara's in-swinging free kick from the left side bounced, untouched, into the upper right hand corner of the net to give MIT the 1-0 lead.

With their backs to the wall, the Bobcats began to push forward in a desperate search for a late equalizer, but strong defending and steady goalkeeping from junior Tom Caldwell, who controlled his box well, kept the visitors at bay.

Caldwell made four saves between the pipes for MIT to earn his third shutout of the season, while Schleicher stopped three shots for the Bobcats.

-- MIT Sports Information

BOX SCORE: MIT 1, Bates 0