BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The host University of New England Nor'easters scored a late goal and the Bates women's soccer team settled for a 1-1 draw Tuesday night in non-conference action.

The Bobcats (1-2-2) struck first, taking a 1-0 lead early in the first half. In the fifth minute, junior Anna Masumoto (Seattle) delivered a long pass to senior Izzy Lussier (West Suffield, Conn.), who tapped the ball to junior Mollie Franklin (Framingham, Mass.) for the tally. Franklin was able to chip the ball over the head of the UNE goalkeeper for her first collegiate goal. Masumoto and Lussier both picked up assists on the play.

The 1-0 lead held up until the 84th minute. That's when Ceirra Merritt launched a cross from the far side into the box. The ball was knocked around before Emily Martin pulled the ball out of the crowd and fired a shot to the far corner in traffic that found the back of the net, tying the score at one.

Bates had two corner kicks in the closing minutes, but the Nor'easters (3-0-3) held them off to keep the score at 1-1.

The Bobcats held the advantage in shots by a 13-11 margin and each team had six shots on goal. Junior Ruby Reimann (Oak Bluffs, Mass.) made five saves between the pipes.

 Bates is back in action this Saturday when the Bobcats visit No. 16 nationally ranked Amherst for a match that gets underway at 12pm.