Hamilton College received one goal from three different players and Leo Nizzi '14 had two assists as the Continentals defeated Bates College 3-1 in a NESCAC match at Hamilton’s Love Field on Sept. 29.

Bayard Geeslin '16 scored Hamilton’s goal in the first half and Erich Marcks '16 and Anthony Balbo '13 connected on goals in the second half. Nizzi assisted on Geeslin’s and Balbo’s scores. Trevor Bobola '15 also tallied an assist on Geeslin’s goal. Eric Boole '13 made two saves for the winners.

Ethan Hirshberg '13 scored the lone for Bates. Bobcat goalkeeper Sam Polito '16 stopped five shots in the loss.

The Continentals (2-4-1 overall, 1-4-1 NESCAC) controlled the ball right from the opening kickoff and outshot Bates 26-12, including a 12-2 advantage in the first half. Hamilton also owned the corner kick battle at 9-2.

Hamilton’s first goal came after a near miss from Ralph Jerome '15, whose header was punched out of bounds by Polito. On the ensuing corner kick, Nizzi crossed the ball into the box where Bobola headed the pass to Geeslin who connected on his first collegiate goal in the 37th minute.

Following the break, Boole was tested just three minutes into the second half. A Bates free-kick made its way into the box and was headed towards the goal. Boole grabbed and secured the ball for his second save of the game.

In the 57th minute, Hamilton added another goal when Marcks crossed the ball from the baseline towards the net, which deflected off a Bates defender for 2-0 lead.

The Bobcats (2-4-1, 0-4-1) answered back in the 59th minute when Hrischberg collected a pass near the baseline and took two dribbles around a defender and shot into the back of the net.

The Continentals put the game to rest when they added an insurance goal with 2:19 remaining. Nizzi’s free kick led Balbo into the box, where his one-timer went by the keeper in the upper right corner.

Hamilton takes a break from conference action when they host SUNY IT on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Bates continues their road trip at Tufts University on Sunday, Sept. 30.

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