WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Sophomore Anna Lindeis scored the game-winning goal in overtime and the No. 15 nationally ranked Bates field hockey team defeated No. 8 Williams 1-0 on Saturday for the Bobcats' best start to NESCAC play in program history. 

Bates (4-1, 2-0 NESCAC) sports a 2-0 conference record for the first time ever, as the NESCAC became a playing conference in 1999. Saturday's win also marks the first time the Bobcats have defeated the Ephs (3-1, 0-1 NESCAC) since 2011. 

Less than a minute into overtime, Bates earned a penalty corner. Sophomore Maria Femia (Canton, Mass.) intercepted a pass at midfield and the Bobcats worked their way into the shooting area, drawing a foul in the process.

Junior Kami Lambert (Augusta, Maine) delivered the insert, and Lindeis (New Canaan, Conn.) ripped a shot into the lower right corner of the cage for her second goal of the season. It's the first game-winning goal of her collegiate career. 

The game stood scoreless at the end of regulation, although the Bobcats had to survive 17 shot attempts from the Ephs, including 10 in the second quarter alone. 

First-year Kaili Jacobsen (Fairfield, Conn.) started the game in the cage for the Bobcats and made four saves in the first half. Then senior Grace Biddle (State College, Pa.) played the remainder of the contest and made three saves, keeping the Ephs off the scoreboard. 

Bates finished the game with nine shots, including five on goal. Only seven of Williams' 17 shots were on goal. 

The Ephs earned eight penalty corners but did not convert on any of them. The Bobcats only earned three penalty corners, but they made the final one count.

Bates is back in action when No. 12 nationally ranked Amherst comes to town next Saturday for a game that gets underway at 11am.