NEW LONDON, Conn. – Claire Chace (Bristol, R.I.) scored just 10:56 into the contest, and the Connecticut College women's soccer team shut out visiting Bates 1-0 on Saturday afternoon from Freeman Field.
Conn opened the contest on the front foot, as both Chace and Morgan Lovell (Franklin, Mass.) forced saves from Sydney Litney in the opening nine minutes. However, just two minutes later the Camels opened the scoring.
Danica Zicha (Belmont, Mass.) laid off a pass to Lovell who worked down the near side to the corner of the box. Lovell sent a cross towards the penalty spot where a wide open Chace headed home to put Conn in front 1-0.
Bates responded with their first two shots of the afternoon, but Maia Kafer (Philadelphia, Pa.) answered the call with saves on Clara Oldenburg and Carolyn Kelly. Juliana Grontzos (Hopkinton, Mass,) had a late chance for the Camels that was stopped by Litney as Conn led 1-0 at the break.
The Camels opened the second half with a strong first five minutes, but were unable to extend the lead, before the Bobcats began to press. Over the next 25 minutes, Bates tallied nine shots with four efforts finding the target, but Kafer was up to the task each time.
Conn did not sit back, and nearly doubled the advantage with 13 minutes to play. Zola Alcaro (Norwell, Mass.) took a pass from Lovell at the top of the box, whipping a shot to the far post that a diving Litney was able to keep out.
Kafer came up with two more saves late in the match, before the Camels defense blocked the last effort from the Bobcats with just over three minutes remaining, to close out the 1-0 victory.
Both teams recorded 14 total shots, with Bates holding a slim 8-7 edge on shots on target, and a 5-4 advantage on corners.
Kafer was strong in net, picking up eight saves to earn the clean sheet victory. Chace tallied the lone goal of the contest, while Lovell chipped in an assist.
Litney got the start in goal for Bates, finishing with six saves.
Conn (4-5-1, 2-4-1 NESCAC) heads back out on the road to start their final road trip of the season, as the Camels travel to Boston, Mass. to take on Emmanuel College at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
