The Hamilton College Continentals opened their NESCAC schedule with a 1-0 loss to Bates College at Bates' Russell Street Field on Saturday afternoon.

After a scoreless first half, Bates (2-0-0, 1-0) put one on the board in the 52nd minute on a shot from just inside the 18-yard box on the right side.

Hamilton (1-1-0) had two chances to score the equalizer in the 70^th minute. The first came on a header by Pandelis Margaronis '25 that was saved but drew a Bates foul after the ball came out and led to a penalty kick.

Spencer Royal '22, who had three goals in a win against SUNY Oswego on Wednesday, took the penalty kick and shot it low and to the right but it was denied by the Bobcats goalie.

The Continentals had a few more chances to tie the score. In the 74^th minute both Luke Ehrenfreund '25 and Royal took shots that were blocked in front of the net. Three minutes later Charles Hawthorn '25 put a shot on goal that was saved.

Ben Ziegler '24 recorded three saves while Hamilton held a 9-5 shot advantage.

The Continentals are on the road on Wednesday, Sept. 15 to play Utica College at 4 p.m.