Knoth was the primary creator of arguably the best three scoring chances of the night for either side. He put the only shot on goal by either team in the first half before putting the Bobcats on the board in the second period.

Bates (1-0-0) outshot MMA (0-1-1) by a 19-5 margin. Sophomore goalie Zach Shabman (Scarsdale, N.Y.) needed just one save to notch his third career shutout. Jesse Perkins (Bangor, Maine) made two saves for the Mariners.

Bates outshot MMA 12-0 in the first half, but only one of the Bobcats' shots required a save by Mariners keeper Jesse Perkins. 

Knoth nearly scored the game's first goal in the waning minutes of the first half. His terrific individual play began with a tackle of an MMA backliner. Knoth beat the defender to the ball, got past him again with a spin move and raced free into the penalty area. MMA goalie Perkins got a small piece of Knoth's shot to preserve the scoreless tie. Less than a minute later, a header by first-year defender Jack Martell (Gray, Maine) bounced off the ground and hit the crossbar.

A healthy crowd of over 700, mostly comprising fall athletes and first-year students, nearly filled the stands at Garcelon on a balmy night.

With about 34:00 remaining, MMA forward Jay Madison (Rockledge, Fla.) made a threatening run on the left wing, finishing off by drilling a low liner that sailed wide of the left post, in the Mariners' first serious scoring chance of the night. About 18 minutes later, MMA threatened again, as Gabriel Warren's (Edgecomb, Maine) long cross from the left wing was redirected safely away by a lunging Shabman.

MMA's David Clough (Mt. Vernon, Maine) forced Shabman's first save in the second minute of the second half, on a long direct kick that traveled over 60 yards in the air.

Bates went on top with 29:17 left in the second half. Well-covered by MMA's David Lord, Knoth made a subtle move to get a step on Lord up the left wing, then accelerating into open space. As he entered the penalty area, Knoth dumped the ball to an open middle area, where

Lin, trailing the play, was there to finish with a blast past an advanced Perkins and into the middle of the Mariner goal.

Bates continued to press the Mariners, mounting a flurry with shots by sophomore Noah Riskind (Bethesda, Md.) and senior Tyler Grees (Williamstown, Mass.) that didn't find the back of the net. With 14:42 left in the half, Knoth struck again. Another deft move on the left wing freed up an angled shot blocked away by Perkins. Knoth collected the rebound with at least two other MMA defenders in the area. He had lots of time but not much space to shoot, yet squeezed the ball through a gap in the defense to make it 2-0.

The contest showcased some promising new faces on the Bates side: in addition to Knoth, junior midfielder Sean Moyo and Martell both played impressively, as did senior captains Grees (returning after a year's hiatus due to injury) and defender Dan Remillard (Hanover, N.H.) 

Bates will host Tufts on Saturday at 3pm to open NESCAC play. MMA will face Southern Maine at Husson on Friday at 5pm.