WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Men's soccer opened its 2026 season Saturday afternoon at No. 10 Williams, falling short in a 3-2 loss to the Ephs. The five combined goals are the most in a Bates-Williams men's soccer match since 2004 and the first time since 2000 that both teams scored multiple goals in the match-up.
Williams (1-0, 1-0 NESCAC) struck first with 15 minutes remaining in the opening half, as Griffin Labonski headed home a free kick from Kai Darrell. Bates (0-1, 0-1 NESCAC) answered with 10 minutes left in the half when sophomore
Danny Burke's (Holliston, Mass.) free kick found the back of the net to level the match at 1-1. The goal marked Bates' first against Williams since 2018.
The Ephs regained the lead early in the second half when Ben Brown found the back of the net. However, the Bobcats responded in the 60th minute, as sophomore
Alden Yu (Holliston, Mass.) fired a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that deflected off first-year
Finn Coburn (Scarborough, Maine) and eluded the Ephs' goalkeeper for Coburn's first collegiate tally. The goal brought Bates level once again at 2-2.
Just 30 seconds later, Williams answered with the eventual game-winner. Lorcan Mitchell fired a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that found the upper portion of the net beyond the reach of junior goalkeeper
George Nassar (Newtonville, Mass.).
Bates held a 15-12 advantage in shots, including a 7-6 edge in shots on goal. Nassar recorded three saves for the Bobcats.
Bates returns to action Tuesday when they travel to Saint Joseph's for a 6 p.m. non-conference match.
