LEWISTON, Maine -- Junior Brooke Moloney-Kolenberg dished out an assist and scored the game-winning goal as the No. 8 nationally ranked Bates field hockey team survived a strong challenge from Thomas College to prevail 2-1 Wednesday night at Campus Ave. Field. 

The Bobcats (3-1) tallied the decisive goal in the 41st minute of action. Sophomore Haley Dwight (West Newbury, Mass.) delivered the insert on a penalty corner and Moloney-Kolenberg (Winchester, Mass.) received the ball at the top of the circle. She weaved through the defense and fired a shot into the lower right side of the cage for her second goal of the season.

The Terriers (5-3) turned in a strong performance, with their goalkeeper Elise Syphers standing out. Syphers turned away the Bobcats again and again, finishing with 13 saves on the night. 

Bates got on the board first, scoring in the 10th minute of action. Moloney-Kolenberg was able to get the ball to junior Lucy Norris (Chicago, Ill.), who turned and ripped a shot into the cage for her second goal of the year.

But Thomas got the equalizer off a penalty corner in the 14th minute. Kara Richards delivered the insert to Samantha Thebarge, who fired a shot that found the backboard to knot the score at one apiece.

It stayed that way until Moloney-Kolenberg's go-ahead goal in the third quarter. She now leads the team in points with five (two goals, one assist) on the year.

First-year Ava Donohue (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) got her first career start in goal, and made the most of it for Bates, tallying four saves to earn the win. 

Bates dominated in the shots category, finishing with 27, including 15 on goal. The Terriers netted just six shots, five on goal. Bates earned 15 penalty corners to just five for the visitors. 

The Bobcats return to NESCAC action this Saturday at noon when they visit No. 15 nationally ranked Wesleyan.