HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Bates men's soccer team recorded seven shots on goal and 10 shots overall but none found the back of the net in a 2-0 loss to the Trinity College Bantams Saturday afternoon. 

Trinity (3-4, 1-4 NESCAC) scored two goals within less than two minutes of each other in the middle of the first half to take a lead they did not relinquish. 

The Bantams actually recorded the first shot of the match less than a minute in to the action, when a Michael Burns shot got denied by sophomore goalkeeper Robbie Montanaro (Belmont, Mass.).

The Bobcats (3-4-2, 1-4-1 NESCAC) responded with a pair of shots of their own. In the second minute of action, senior Peabo Knoth (Portland, Maine) fired a shot on goal that got stopped by Trinity keeper Domenic Quade. Knoth followed that up with another shot in the fifth minute, but Quade denied that one as well.

Quade made seven saves on the day while Montanaro made five.

In the 30th minute, the Bantams struck off a corner kick. Tobias Gimand delivered a perfect ball on the corner kick that Alex Steel headed into the back of the net for a 1-0 Trinity lead.

A free kick opportunity in the 32nd minute saw William Baker find Sam Ganele who tallied a goal of his own to extend the Trinity lead to 2-0.

The Bobcats did not back down despite the deficit. 

After being out-shot 5-2 in the first half, the Bobcats out-shot Trinity 8-6 in the second half of action.

Just 13 seconds in to the second half, sophomore Ben Lyons (San Rafael, Calif.) fired a shot on goal that was saved by Quade. 

Bates kept the pressure on but did not have any luck as the Trinity defense held firm.

The Bobcats' best chance came in the 88th minute when junior Nate Merchant (Los Angeles, Calif.) was awarded a penalty kick opportunity. 

But his shot got denied by Quade who had an outstanding match in goal for the Bantams.

Bates looks to get back on track Sunday when they visit defending national champion Amherst at 3:00 p.m.