Jackson

Lobozzo

LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates College men's soccer team scored two goals in the first half, added an insurance goal in the second and fought off a Wesleyan University rally in the final 12 minutes to preserve a 3-2 homecoming victory in a NESCAC match-up on Saturday afternoon at Russell Street Field.

Bates (8-5 overall, 3-5 NESCAC) sophomore forward Patrick Jackson (Durham, N.H.) scored both of Bates' first-half goals. His first goal came in the 35th minute, when he shot the ball inside the right corner of the goal. He was assisted by sophomore forward Dustin DiGregorio (Boxford, Mass.) on a head ball and first-year goalkeeper Greg Watts (West Chester, Pa.), who delivered the free kick that started the play. Jackson's second goal came in the 41st minute as he headed a goal in on a corner kick by junior Jonathan Lobozzo (New Gloucester, Maine) who was credited with the assist.

In the second half, Bates added an insurance goal when Lobozzo headed in a ball inside the right corner, assisted on a crossing pass by Jackson.

Wesleyan (4-7-2 overall, 2-4-2 NESCAC) fought back furiously in the final 12 minutes of play, accumulating the majority of their 23-6 second-half shot advantage during this time period. The Cardinals' first goal was credited when the Bobcats, while attempting to clear the ball, scored an own goal. Wesleyan then turned up the offensive pressure and tallied their second goal in the 87th minute, as senior midfielder Ozzie Parente (Orange, Conn.) deposited a shot into the right corner on an assist by junior midfielder Mark Murphy (Chatham, N.J.).

Bates held on and ran out the clock for the win in the final few minutes.

Watts recorded 11 saves in net for the Bobcats. Wesleyan first-year goalie Tucker Morgan (Sea Cliff, N.Y.) saved 5 shots in the first half before giving way in the second half to sophomore goalie Nigel Stacey (Seattle, Wash.), who had two saves. 

Bates will host Colby in its regular season finale next Friday at 3 p.m. Wesleyan will wrap up its regular season at home next Friday against Connecticut College at 2:30 p.m.

STATS: Bates 3, Wesleyan 2