AMHERST, Mass. — No. 16 Bates saw its six-game winning streak to open the season come to an end Saturday afternoon as No. 17 Amherst defeated the Bobcats, 20–8, in NESCAC action at Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium.

Bates (6-1, 2-1 NESCAC) received a three-goal performance from Riley McClure, but Amherst (2-2, 2-1 NESCAC) used a dominant opening half and a decisive third quarter to take control of the contest.

The Mammoths jumped out quickly, scoring the first three goals of the game in a span of just 31 seconds. Bates answered with goals from McClure and Liam Rule to cut the deficit to 3–2 with 3:44 left in the first quarter, but Amherst closed the period with three straight tallies to take a 6–2 lead after one.

Amherst continued to build momentum in the second quarter, pushing its advantage to 11–2 before the Bobcats mounted a brief response. Connor Hartman, Jack Goldbach, and Henry McCann each scored late in the half — including McCann's extra-man goal with 24 seconds remaining — trimming the deficit to 11–5. The Mammoths answered just seven seconds later, however, to carry a 12–5 lead into halftime. 

The hosts then seized full control in the third quarter, outscoring Bates 5–0 in the frame to extend the margin to 17–5 entering the final period.

McClure added two fourth-quarter goals to complete his hat trick, while Gray Doyle also found the net as the Bobcats closed the game with three of the final four tallies.

Andrew Toland made 14 saves in 42:20 of action for the Bobcats before Drew Nyhus (17:40) entered in relief in the third.

Amherst was led by Bennett Chow's (Chicago, Ill.) five goals and Bob Gross' (Potomac, Md.) four goals and three assists as the Mammoths held advantages in shots (54–30), ground balls (47–26), and faceoffs (21–10).

Bates will look to bounce back next Saturday when the Bobcats travel to Middlebury to take on the Panthers at 1:00 p.m.