Box Score Despite a seven-point effort from senior attacker Steph Kelly, Colorado College dropped a 19-14 decision to Bates College in the season opener for both teams on Thursday afternoon at Washburn Field.

The Bobcats scored six consecutive goals in the early stages of the game and were able to hold the lead for the duration of the contest.

After trailing by six midway through the first half, the Tigers clawed their way back to within 12-10 when senior attacker Annie DeFrino scored the second of back-to-back goals a little more than nine minutes into the second half.

Bates responded with a three-goal surge to open a 15-10 cushion, only to see Colorado College counter with three goals of its own to pull to within 15-13 with 11:23 remaining.

Unfortunately, that was as close as the Tigers would get. A pair of free-position shots gave the Bobcats a 17-13 lead, and after Kelly scored the last of her four goals, Bates tacked on the final two markers of the game.

Junior midfielder Ellie Meyer finished with three goals for CC, while DeFrino had a pair.

Five other Tigers scored once, including freshmen Avery Bell and Caroline Keller who notched their first collegiate goals.

Kelly and sophomore attacker Eva King each recorded a game-high three assists.

Kelly also registered a game-high seven draw controls.

Sophomore Cassis Schafer led the Colorado College defense with a career-best four caused turnovers, while senior defender Cole Vanacore and sophomore midfielder Lauren Pejza were credited with three apiece.

CC first-year goaltender Alena Stern stopped nine shots in her collegiate debut after entering the contest 12:48 into the first half.

The Bobcats finished with a 34-29 advantage in total shots, while both teams picked up 22 ground balls.

Senior midfielder Camille Belletete struck for all four of her goals during the second half for Bates, including two on free-position shots. She set up the final goal of the game to cap her five-point performance.

Senior attacker Annie Duke also finished with five points on three goals and a pair of assists.

As a team, the Bobcats scored on six of its 10 free-position attempts, while Colorado College went 2-for-4.

Junior goalkeeper Eliza Statile made seven saves for Bates.

The Tigers return to action on March 2 and 3 with games against Illinois Wesleyan University and Rhodes College in Bloomington, Ill.