Box Score LEWISTON, Maine – Sophomore Alec Talsania and senior Jacob Frost each scored second-half goals as Hamilton College men's soccer topped Bates College, 2-0, in Bates' NESCAC home opener on Saturday afternoon at Russell St. Field.
The Bobcats (0-3-1, 0-2-0 NESCAC) and Continentals (2-0-1, 1-0-1 NESCAC) played a scoreless first half before Talsania (Fogelsville, Pa.) put the visitors on the board in the 49th minute, and Frost upped the team's lead to 2-0 in the 57th minute.
Talsania opened the game's scoring just over three minutes into the second period as a pass from junior Erich Marcks (Pelham, N.Y.) made its way to him just inside the box, and he slotted a shot to the top of the goal.
Just under eight minutes later, Frost (Patterson, N.Y.) – a captain for the Continentals – controlled an attempted clear from the Bobcats and blasted a shot into the back of the net from a few yards outside the penalty area.
Bates worked to make their way back into the game, earning a corner kick in the 78th minute and registering shots in the 81st and 86th minutes but could not break down the Continental defense.
One of the Bobcats' best chances in the second half came shortly after the period began as a lofted shot from first-year Justin Yacovino (North Bergen, N.J.) went just over the bar and fell into the netting on the other side of the end line.
Hamilton continued to test the Bobcats late in the match with Bobcat junior goalkeeper Sam Polito (Far Hills, N.J.) making two saves inside of the last three minutes and with Bates tallying a team save.
Both teams threatened at times in the first half as the Bobcats blocked two Hamilton shots inside the box in the 19th minute, and Bates sophomore Peabo Knoth (Portland, Maine) sent a shot just wide to the right in the 43rd minute.
Hamilton sophomore goalie Harris Pollack (Chappaqua, N.Y.) made one save in the shutout win (2-0-1) while Polito (0-3-1) stopped five shots in the loss.
Next, Bates plays at Bowdoin College on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. while Hamilton hosts SUNYIT on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
