WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Bates women's lacrosse team secured its first victory of the season in dramatic fashion, edging No. 25 Catholic University 11-10 in overtime Saturday at Carlini Field.

The win marked the first for head coach Princess L. Zabel and continued the Bobcats' trend of defeating nationally ranked opponents, as their last two victories have come against ranked foes (April 24, 2024 vs. #10 Colby).

Sophomore Laci Raveis delivered the game-winning goal at 2:08 of overtime, finishing a feed from Caroline Taggart to lift Bates (1-1) to the hard-fought win. Raveis led the Bobcats with three goals and two assists, and now owns eight tallies over her first two contests. Taggart matched her teammate's hat trick and also added two assists.

Catholic struck first with two early goals, but Bates responded with back-to-back scores from Julia Roelofs and Grace Cassin to tie the game at 2-2 after the first quarter. The Cardinals then surged ahead with a five-goal second quarter, taking a 7-5 advantage into halftime. The Bobcats regrouped in the third, outscoring Catholic 4-1, with goals from Zoe Schaedle, Lucy Taylor, Taggart, and Grace Yonchak to claim a 9-8 lead entering the fourth.

The Cardinals tied the game at 10-10 with 6:40 left in regulation, but neither team could break through in the closing minutes. In overtime, Yonchak won a crucial draw control, and after a composed offensive possession, Raveis found the back of the net for the thrilling victory.

Goalkeeper Raegan White was instrumental in the win, tallying 11 saves, including several key stops in the second quarter when Catholic applied heavy pressure. The Bobcats' defense, led by Olivia Hall (2 caused turnovers) and Sarah Jane Gavin (2 caused turnovers), held firm in crunch time by limiting the Cardinals to three goals in the second half.

The Bobcats will look to build on this momentum when they return to action next Saturday, March 1 as the garnet and white opens NESCAC play with a visit to Hamilton College. Start time is set for noon.