The Hamilton College women's lacrosse team faced Bates College in a match-up of nationally ranked NESCAC teams Saturday in Lewiston, Maine, losing to the Bobcats 8-7. The Continentals are ranked 12th in the latest national coaches' poll; host Bates is 13th.

Hamilton (6-3, 2-3 NESCAC) cut a four-goal Bobcat lead to one with 5:42 remaining in the second half and had a pair of chances at the tying goal, but Bates recorded saves on the last two Continental shots – including a free-position attempt with 64 seconds to go – and ran out the clock for the win.

Caroline McCarthy '16 and Margaret Gabriel '16 sparked Hamilton's late run. McCarthy scored her ninth goal of the season with just over 20 minutes left, then fed Gabriel for a goal 1:27 later.

After a long scoreless stretch Hamilton closed the gap to one with 5:42 left when Casey File '17 converted a pass from Gabriel.

The Continentals won the draw and – after the teams traded turnovers – had their first opportunity to tie the score but Bates goaltender Hannah Jeffrey stopped a free-position shot with just under four minutes remaining. A Bates turnover was followed by yellow card on the hosts that left the Bobcats short-handed for a minute but Hamilton was unable to put a shot on goal.

Jeffrey's save on another Hamilton free-position try just before the final minute sealed the win for Bates, who improved to 9-1 overall and 4-1 in the NESCAC.

Hamilton jumped to an early lead, scoring three of the game's first four goals. Kara Pooley '19 opened the scoring with her ninth goal of the season less than two mnutes in and Darby Philbrick '18 scored twice in the next 11 minutes. Philbrick now has 13 goals, good for second on the team.

Bates took control with a 7-1 run that covered a span of 24:15. Sydney Howard scored each of her game-best three goals (which came on only three shots) during the run and Drew Barry assisted on the Bobcats' first and last goal of the streak.

Hamilton's defense held Moriah Greenstein – the NESCAC's leading scorer – to two shots.

Hannah Burrall '19 stopped seven of the 12 first-half shots she faced. Hannah Rubin '17 made three saves in the second half, helping hold Bates scoreless over the game's final 22:01.

Hannah Withiam '16 led Hamilton with three ground balls. Camille Belletete picked up three for Bates and Cara Cappellini caused four turnovers – including two in the final 4:11.

Morgan Fletcher '17 scored her team-leading 20th goal in the midst of the Bobcat run. Gabriel's late goal was the 100th point of her collegiate career.

Teal Otley scored twice for the Bobcats, including a free-position shot 19:15 into the first period that put the hosts ahead to stay.

Hamilton continues its eight-day/three-game NESCAC gauntlet Wednesday, playing a 5 p.m. game at Middlebury. The Panthers are ranked second in the current poll.