CLINTON, N.Y. -- For the second straight season, Bates College women's lacrosse has knocked off nationally-ranked Hamilton College as the Bobcats held on for a 12-10 road win vs. the #23 Continentals Saturday.

Bates, which actually now has three-consecutive wins vs. Hamilton dating back to the 2019 campaign, also defeated its NESCAC rival last April 9 on Garcelon Field (13-12) when the Continentals were ranked #12 in the nation.

The Bobcats (5-7, 1-6 NESCAC) enjoyed a strong start to Saturday's showdown, closing out the initial period of play with a 4-1 lead before slipping into intermission with a 6-4 advantage. Another 4-1 showing in the third quarter provided the garnet and white with a seemingly stout 10-5 cushion heading into the fourth.

After Bates netted two of the final frame's first three tallies to make the score 12-6 visitors, Hamilton (4-7, 1-6 NESCAC) proceeded to pour in four unanswered goals and dramatically slice its deficit to just two with 1:32 left in regulation.

The Hamilton threat would soon be an afterthought as the Continentals would not be able to sling another shot over the remaining 92 seconds, clinching the conference win for the Bobcats.

Eight different players appeared on the Bates scoring ledger, led by senior Shelby Howard and her career-high four goals. Caroline Taggert (So.) added a pair of tallies in effort. Maddy Roelofs (Jr.) (1 goal, 2 assists) contributed three points for the Bobcats while Madie Donovan (Jr.), Sadie O'Neil (Jr.), and Lauren Wong (Fy.) each added a goal and a helper apiece.

Despite the result, Hamilton still held the advantage in the shot column, 32-24, including a 22-20 surplus on frame.

Cammie Lavoie was stellar between the pipes for the victors as the senior goalkeeper recorded 12 saves in the complete-game effort. 

The Bobcats return to campus this Wednesday for a 5:00 p.m. NESCAC contest Wednesday night vs. #5 Tufts on Garcelon Field.