LEWISTON, Maine -- Bates College men's soccer bounced back from its first setback of the season in a big way as the Bobcats bested the University of Southern Maine, 3-0, Wednesday evening on Garcelon Field.

The garnet and white now own a 4-1 record to start the year for the first time since 2021. The visiting Huskies slip to 1-3-3.

Henry Kuenstler opened the scoring at the 12:06 mark as the senior controlled a Tife Agunloye feed, and ripped a lefty blast from about 20 yards out, which tipped off the mitt of USM goalkeeper Gabe Wagner, and into the net.

Agunloye continued his torrid start to the fall later in the first half as the NESCAC leader in goals connected for his fifth in as many games in the 53rd minute (52:47). With the Huskies unable to clear the defensive zone, Sebastian Iacovitti punched the ball through traffic in front of the USM frame, as a charging Agunloye put away the effort to make it 2-0 Bates.

The final tally came in the second stanza (77:41) as Wilson Smith and Zach Perron teamed up for a give-and-go with Smith scorching in his first goal of the year from 10 yards deep. Bates dominated the shot column, 20-4, with a 7-1 advantage on frame.

George Nassar (82:26, 1 save) and Trevor Hammond (7:34) teamed up in net for the Bobcats' fourth shutout of the year.

Bates will now take to the road for a NESCAC tilt this Saturday (2:00 p.m.) at Wesleyan University.