The Bobcats got back on the winning track behind the strong offensive output of the junior duo Riley Kundtz (Chagrin Falls, Ohio)and Michelle Brady (Milton, Mass.) Kundzt scored two goals and added an assist, while Brady added a goal and an assist.
Tuesday afternoon was a picture perfect fall day and the Bobcats arrived in Gorham ready to play on USM's newly finished field turf, Hannaford Field. Bates jumped all over USM in the first half putting pressure on early and often. Bates found the back of the net 12 minutes into the half when senior co-captain Kelly McManus (Plymouth, NH) carried the ball in from the 25 on the right side of the field and rifled the ball across the goal where Kundtz was waiting on the far post to redirect the ball into the goal.
Just over five minutes later, Bates grabbed a 2-0 lead when Brady knocked the ball into the net following an offensive flurry.
USM got on the board in the 24th minute as Huskies junior forward, Kailey Bubier scored an unassisted goal off of play from a free hit from just outside the 25 yard line. Bates returned the favor and grabbed a two goal lead by scoring their third goal of the half when sophomore Bridget Meedzan (Ipswich, Mass.) finished off a penalty corner. Kundtz inserted the ball to the top, it was received by senior Lyndsay Beaton(West Newbury, Mass.) who slipped it right onto McManus's stick. McManus shot for the far post, Kundz redirected it across the goal and Meedzan finished it of from the right post.
Looking a bit complacent coming out of half-time, USM pulled the within one-goal when they jumped on a ball in the circle just 1:37 seconds into the half to cut the Bobcat's lead to one.
Although, Bates rebounded to take control of play for the next 20 minutes, despite good looking chances, they were unable to score until Kundtz scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 54th minute. Kundtz's second goal of the game came when Brady took a shot that rebounded to the left side of the circle, Kundtz was able to collect it and bury it.
USM would not go silently and Bubier pulled USM to within 4-3 of the Bobcats in the 62nd minute with her second goal of the game. Keeping it exciting to the end, Bates allowed USM to earn a corner with time running down. With no time on the clock, Bates successfully defending four corners, before closing out the game once and for all.
Bates sophomore goalkeeper Becca Otley (Cumberland, Maine) made six saves for the win while USM sophomore Kayla Kennedy was kept busy turning back 13 shots.
The Bobcats will be back in action, on the road at Connecticut College on Saturday at 11 a.m. and then at home with Tufts on Sunday at noon. Check out the video coverage on Sunday at: Bates Field Hockey Webcast
STATS: Bates 4, Southern Maine 3
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