First-year back Max Watson scored in Bates' 3-0 win at Trinity on Sept. 27, 2014. (File photo by Sarah Crosby/Bates College)

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The visiting Bates College men's soccer team got off to a quick start on Saturday afternoon, scoring a trio of first-half goals en route to a 3-0 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) victory against Trinity at Campus Field. 

The Bantams suffered their first home loss of the season to move to 4-2-1 on the year and 1-2-1 in league play, while the Bobcats snapped a four-game winless streak against Trinity to improve to 1-6-1 overall and 1-4-0 in conference tilts.

Bates junior goalkeeper Sam Polito (Far Hills, N.J.) made six saves in 86 minutes of work, with first-year Jack Anderson (Rumford, R.I.) tending goal for the final four minutes. Polito has been a part of three shutouts by the Bobcats this season. On the opposite end, Jason Katz played the first half and made six saves in a losing effort and Domenic Quade came on in relief of Katz in the second half and turned aside both shots he faced.

Bates first-year midfielder Nate Merchant (Los Angeles, Calif.) opened the scoring in the contest as he chipped a shot past Katz in the 17th minute of action. Sophomore midfielder Matt DiVite (Murray Hill, N.J.) sent a perfectly placed through ball to Merchant in stride and as Katz came charging out, he sent a shot that found the back of the net. The goal was Merchant's first collegiate tally and proved to be the game-winner.

Later in the opening half, sophomore forward Peabo Knoth (Portland, Maine) and first-year defender Max Watson (Yarmouth, Maine) added unassisted tallies for the Bobcats in the 33rd and 41st minutes, respectively. Knoth's goal was his third in the past four games, while for Watson the goal was a collegiate first.

In the second half neither team was able to break through as Bates held on for its first conference win of the season.

The Bobcats held a 13-11 advantage in shots and each team took a pair of corner kicks.

Bates stays on the road to play at Amherst on Sunday at 2:30pm.