LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates men's soccer team earned their first NESCAC victory of the season with a 2-0 win over Wesleyan Saturday afternoon at Russell Street Field. 

"I think this team is magnificent," head coach Stewart Flaherty said. "I think the spot they are in mentally, their work ethic as a group, their ability to lift each other, they are doing a phenomenal job on and off the field." 

It's the Bobcats' (3-2-2, 1-2-1 NESCAC) first victory over the Cardinals (3-2-1, 0-2) since a 3-2 win in 2008.

The first half of action saw Bates out-shoot the Cardinals 7-3 and the Bobcats saw two of their seven shots find the back of the net.

Sophomore Drew Parsons (Farmington, Maine) entered the game in the 32nd minute at forward and just a few minutes later immediately made an impact. With just under 10 minutes to go in the half, Parsons beat his defender and set up senior captain Luke McNabb (Glastonbury, Conn.), who ran in from center midfield for an easy finish to give Bates a 1-0 lead.

In the 42nd minute, junior midfielder Justin Yacovino (North Bergen, N.J.) found himself unguarded and made a big play of his own, setting up senior forward Matt DiVite (Murray Hill, N.J.) for his second goal of the season. 

Through seven matches in 2016, Bates has had five different players score goals. 

"If you're scouting us and wondering where the goals are coming from, they're getting spread around pretty well," Flaherty said. "And the guy who has been our leading scorer for three consecutive years (senior forward Peabo Knoth), is going to be getting off the mark pretty soon too. So that's a good position to be in offensively." 

Defenisvely, the Bobcats picked up their second shutout victory of the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Robbie Montanaro (Belmont, Mass.) made three saves in the win.

While Bates out-shot Wesleyan in the match 15-13, the Cardinals did play better in the second half, out-shooting the Bobcats 10-8 and earning six corner kicks. 

In the 63rd minute, Montanaro made his best save of the afternoon when he deflected a Charlie Gruner header over the crossbar. 

The Bobcats are back in action Sunday at 3:00 p.m. when they host Williams at Russell Street Field.