LEWISTON, Maine  -- Bates College women's soccer conducted its annual senior day celebration Saturday as the Bobcats honored seniors Abby Alter, Mollie Franklin, Grace Gesmondi, Lily Houser, Anna Masumoto, Heidi Nydam, Ruby Reimann, Ellie Tyska, and Adriana Varea prior to their NESCAC home finale vs. #19 Middlebury.

It did not take the visiting Panthers long to jump start its own jubilee as Carolina Espinosa (Jr.-Menlo Park, Calif.) netted her first goal of the season just 43 seconds into the match, providing what would prove to be the game-winner in the eventual 2-0 victory for the road team. 

Joely Virzi (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded the assist on the scoring effort as the senior pushed across a perfect pass in front of the Bates goalmouth, which Espinosa one-timed for the tally. Gigi Day (So.-Washington, Conn.) made it 2-0 Middlebury in the 11th minute (10:14), depositing a helper off the boot of Peyton Pettiford-Rowan for her fourth score of the year.

Middlebury (8-1-5, 5-1-3 NESCAC) owned a 15-5 shot advantage (6-2 on frame) in the match.

Sydney Poppinga (New York, N.Y.) collected the goalkeeping win for the victors as the senior snared two saves over 90:00. Reimann tallied four saves in her final home contest with the Bobcats. 

Bates (5-8-1, 2-7 NESCAC) will conclude the regular-season slate this Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. when the Bobcats visit Colby College.