LEWISTON, Maine -- Bates men's soccer celebrated its six seniors Saturday afternoon at Russell Street Field and held unbeaten, nationally top-ranked Middlebury scoreless for 70 minutes before a late goal sent the Bobcats to a 1-0 defeat.
Bates' (4-6-4, 1-5-3 NESCAC) defense and goalkeeping kept the match scoreless through the first half and deep into the second. The Bobcats recorded four saves, with first-year goalkeeper
Isaac Kolaczkowski (Beavercreek, Ohio) making stops in the 47th and 74th minutes. Bates also caught a break in the 52nd minute when a Middlebury shot struck the woodwork.
Middlebury (10-0-3, 6-0-3 NESCAC) broke through in the 70th minute, scoring off a corner kick to take a 1-0 lead. The Bobcats searched for an equalizer down the stretch, but sophomore
Ethan Fisher (Portland, Maine) sent a shot wide right in the 75th minute, sophomore
Chris Bianco (East Greenwich, R.I.) fired over the crossbar in the 81st, and junior captain
Hewitt Stevenson (Menlo Park, Calif.) sent an attempt wide right in the 86th minute.
Bates finished with four shots, including one in the first half and three in the second.
The Bobcats close out the regular season Tuesday, October 27, at 3 p.m. with a trip to Colby.
