LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates field hockey team broke a scoreless tie with two goals scored 29 seconds apart in the second half, en route to a 2-1 defeat of Wesleyan University in a NESCAC game Saturday at Campus Avenue Field.

Bates (5-7, 2-6 NESCAC) broke a four-game skid with both of its goals scored by seniors on Senior Day for the nine members of the Bobcats' Class of 2022. 

Senior Emily Gianunzio (Darien, Conn.) knocked in a sharp cross from sophomore Paige Cote (Auburn, Maine) to score the game's first goal with 12:53 remaining in the third quarter. The Bobcats quickly earned a penalty corner after the goal, and senior Riley Burns (Sterling, Mass.) knocked in a shot from the top of the circle on an assist by senior Ashton Bayle (Wayne, Pa.) for a crucial insurance goal, with 12:24 to go in the quarter.

Bates held Wesleyan (5-7, 1-6 NESCAC) to six shots for the game, but the Cardinals cut the deficit in half on their last attempt, with 2:12 left in regulation. Speeding upfield on a counterattack, Wesleyan forward Diana Schwarz entered the circle and placed a perfectly timed ball past a Bates defender ahead to Annabel Cincotta, who buried her shot past defenseless Bates junior goalie Grace Biddle (State College, Pa.) to make it 2-1. Bates kept Wesleyan out of the circle for the rest of the game.

The Bobcats had a 12-6 advantage in shots, 4-2 in shots on goal, and a 4-1 edge in penalty corners.

Caitlin Grant made Wesleyan's lone save in the first half; Kylie Nelson-Marois played the second half in goal without a save, as midfielder Helen Deretchin made three defensive saves in the second half for the Cardinals. Biddle made one save for Bates in the victory.

It is the Bobcats' sixth consecutive win against the Cardinals, going back to 2015.

Bates next plays a non-conference game at home against Endicott on Wednesday at 7pm.