WATERVILLE, Maine -- The No. 8 nationally ranked Bates field hockey team is off to their best start to a season since 1983 thanks to a 2-0 road win over Thomas College Wednesday night.

Bates (4-0) beat Thomas (4-2) for the sixth consecutive time and recorded a shutout for the fifth time in their last six contests against the Terriers. Sophomore goalkeeper Ava Donohue (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. ) matched her season-high with three saves to pick up the third shutout of her collegiate career.

After her initial look got denied by Thomas goalkeeper Eliya Drummond, sophomore Elsa Copeland (Toronto, Ontario) collected the rebound and found the back of the cage in the 19th minute of action for her second goal of the season. 

Thomas threatened in the 47th minute but sophomore Caroline Nowak (Pelham, N.Y. ) came up big with a defensive save. 

The game stayed 1-0 in favor of the Bobcats until the 59th minute when senior captain Brooke Moloney-Kolenberg (Winchester, Mass.) connected with first-year Sophia Cordoni (San Jose, Calif.) for the latter's second goal in as many games. Cordoni and Copeland are now tied for the team lead with two goals apiece through four contests. Moloney-Kolenberg's assist is her second of the season. 

Bates took 15 shots, with nine on goal. The Terriers finished with 10 shots, four on goal. Drummond finished with seven saves for the hosts.

The Bobcats are back in action this Saturday when they host Husson at noon on Campus Ave. Field.