MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- A 7-0 unanswered scoring streak overlapping the second and third periods provided plenty of cushion for Wesleyan University as the #14 Cardinals soared to a 22-11 defeat of NESCAC rival, Bates College, Saturday in men's lacrosse action.

In a back and forth first quarter, Wesleyan's Justin Hazard sent in his second goal in just 90 seconds (2:02) to put the home team ahead, 6-4, after the first 10:00 of play. A 3-0 spurt put the Cardinals up by a 9-5 margin at the 8:04 mark of the second. 

Bates' Connor Hartman netted his second of three tallies on the day to cut the Bobcat deficit to 9-6 with 6:15 left before the break. Ben Burns, who finished the contest with a game-high five goals, poured in his third of the quarter with 4:35 left, kickstarting the aforementioned 7-0 run for Wesleyan (6-1, 3-0 NESCAC).

The Cardinals would outpace its guest, 9-5, over the second half to secure the win.

Hazard and teammate Charlie Knapp each added two goals and three assists apiece. CK Giancola provided a four-goal performance while DJ Dixon (3 goals, assist) and James Bailey (4 assists) enjoyed four-point contributions.

TJ Underhill (2 goals, assist) and Wil Masterson (goal, 2 assists) matched Hartman with three points each for Bates. Riley McClure netted a pair of goals, giving the first-year a team-best 13 tallies on the season.

Benjamin Kondner now leads the Bobcats with 13 total caused turnovers as the first-year added three more on this day.

Sam Jewett was credited with the goalkeeping victory as the Wesleyan net-minder gathered three saves in 45:00 of action. First-year Andrew Toland finished with 13 saves on 21 shots faced in 56:12 in frame for the garnet and white.

Bates (3-5, 0-4 NESCAC) returns to action next Saturday, March 30 as the Bobcats prepare to host Trinity College at 1:00 p.m. on what will be Alumni Day at Garcelon Field.