LEWISTON, Maine — No. 14 Bates used a fast start and a dominant second quarter to pull away for a 19–11 NESCAC win over Connecticut College on Senior Day Saturday at Garcelon Field.

The Bobcats (9-4, 5-4 NESCAC) scored six times in the opening quarter and broke the game open with a 7–2 edge in the second, taking a 13–5 lead into halftime and maintaining control the rest of the way.

Bates struck first and never trailed. After building a 3–0 lead in the opening minutes, the Bobcats responded to a brief Connecticut College push with two late first-quarter goals to take a 6–3 advantage after one.

The game turned decisively in the second quarter. Riley McClure scored twice in a 50-second span early in the period, igniting a 6-0 run that stretched the lead to nine (12-3).

The Camels (5-7, 1-7 NESCAC) showed life in the second half, with Matthew Sofarelli leading the way with four goals, but Bates answered each push. Goals from Gray Doyle, Connor Hartman, and Jack Goldbach helped the Bobcats maintain a comfortable cushion throughout the third quarter.

Connecticut College scored twice early in the fourth to trim the margin to six, but Bates quickly responded. Charlie Hepp and Goldbach each scored down the stretch, with Goldbach's back-to-back tallies pushing the lead back to nine.

The sophomore led Bates with a career-high five goals and an assist, while McClure added four tallies and a helper. Doyle contributed three goals and an assist, and  Hartman and Hepp scored twice as part of a balanced offensive effort that saw eight different Bobcats find the back of the net.

At the faceoff, Miles Schmidt was a difference-maker, winning 22 of 25 draws as Bates finished with a 26–7 advantage in faceoffs and a 52–32 edge in ground balls.

Andrew Toland made eight saves in goal to earn the win for Bates, which outshot the Camels 52–32 on the afternoon. 

The Senior Day victory keeps Bates in the thick of the NESCAC playoff race as the garnet and white concludes the regular season Wednesday evening (7:00 p.m.) at Colby.