Patrick Jackson's back-to-back goals secured Bates' first conference win of the season.

MEDFORD, Mass. -- Bates College sophomore Patrick Jackson (Durham, N.H.) scored the first two goals of his college career within two minutes of each other in the second half as the Bobcats downed the host Tufts University Jumbos, 2-0, in NESCAC men's soccer play Saturday evening at Bello Field.

The loss drops Tufts to 4-2-1 overall and 1-2-0 in NESCAC action. Bates is now 3-2-0 overall and 1-2-0 in the NESCAC.

Most of the match was played in a heavy downpour, hindering both teams from sustaining their offensive play in the first half, and Tufts outshot Bates in the first half 4-1.

The match remained scoreless until the 72nd minute, when Jackson took a pass from junior Jonathan Lobozzo (New Gloucester, Maine) and scorched a hard shot past the keeper to give Bates a 1-0 lead.

Not much later in the 74th minute, Jackson struck again on an assist from Chris LaBrecque (Falmouth, Maine). Officially, the two goals were only separated by two minutes and eleven seconds. The Jumbos only sent one shot towards the net in the second half and it was saved by Bobcat first-year keeper Greg Watts (West Chester, Pa.).

Senior keeper David McKeon went the distance for the Jumbos, but did not register a save while allowing both Bobcat goals. Watts for Bates also played 90 minutes and made two saves in earning his first collegiate shutout.

Bates plays at in-state rival Thomas College on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

STATS: Bates 2, Tufts 0