Amanda Gifford (10) beats Wesleyan's Marissa Trevisan (9) to the ball and pokes it past the foot of Wesleyan's Cora Lautze (2) for the game-winning goal. (Photo by Tom Leonard '78)

Gifford	Talcott
Vandeventer	Burns

LEWISTON, Maine -- First-year forward Amanda Gifford (Lee, Maine) scored the game-winning goal 41 seconds into the second overtime, sending Bates to a thrilling 2-1 Homecoming victory over Wesleyan University Saturday morning at Russell Street Field. 

Gifford's goal was off a rebounded shot that had hit the post by senior forward Jen Marino (Methuen, Mass.). The goal ended a fierce defensive battle that hadn't seen a score by either team for a span of nearly 50 minutes during the second half and overtime periods.



Bates (6-7 overall, 2-6 NESCAC) opened the scoring in the 29th minute as first-year midfielder Courtney Talcott (Millbury, Mass.) placed a ball inside the right post. She was assisted by first-year forward Alix Vandeventer (North Attleboro, Mass.).

Wesleyan (6-5-1 overall, 2-5-1 NESCAC) tied the game in the second half as senior forward Yuri Hoshino (Chicago, Ill.) scored an unassisted goal in the 51st minute. Both teams then engaged in a defensive struggle until Gifford's goal sent Bates to victory.

The Bobcats edged the Cardinals in game shots 28-22. Bates first-year goalie Annie Burns (Topsfield, Mass.) recorded 6 saves while her Wesleyan counterpart first-year goalie Clare Colton (Montclair, N.J.) had 5 saves. 

Bates will play its regular season finale at Colby next Friday at 3 p.m. A win or a tie against the Mules would clinch a return trip to the eight-team field of the NESCAC Championship.

STATS: Bates 2, Wesleyan 1

Bates players celebrate after Amanda Gifford's goal gave the Bobcats a 2-1 win in the second overtime against Wesleyan on Saturday. (Photo by Tom Leonard '78)