Bates Downs Southern Maine 20-1

            LEWISTON, Maine -- Senior Liv Sandford (Kennebunk, Maine) scored three goals in the first half as the Bates College Bobcats built a 9-0 lead en route to a 20-1 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-conference game Tuesday afternoon at Garcelon Field.

            The win snapped a two-game losing skid for the Bobcats and improved their overall record to 2-3.  The Huskies dropped their second straight game to slip to 1-2 overall.

            Sandford had an assist on the Bobcats' first goal from junior Lila Hutchins (Westfield, N.J.) 32 seconds into the game.  Sandford scored her first goal six-and-a-half minutes later to double the Bobcats advantage.  Sandford added the Bobcats fifth and eighth goals of the half.

            Bates pushed the lead to 12-0 in the second half before USM junior Alex Farley (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle) put the Huskies on the board at 16:57, converting a free-position attempt.  That would be the lone goal for the Huskies as the Bobcats tacked on eight goals over the final 15 minutes.

            Sandford led all scorers with five points on her three goals and two assists.  Rookie Stella Stone (Providence, R.I./Wheeler School) matched Sandford with three goals for the Bobcats.  First-year Sophie Scola (San Mateo, Calif./Menlo School), senior Gianna DiPinto (Grafton, Mass.), and sophomore Kate Loughlin (Portsmouth, N.H.) had two goals apiece for the winners.  Junior goalie Rachael Deptula (Durham, N.H/Governor's Academy.) played the opening half allowing no goals and making three saves.  Rookie Cammie Lavoie (Epping, N.H./Phillips Exeter) took over in the second half making one save.

            USM junior goalie Mariah Vaillancourt (Lewiston, Maine/Edward Little) recorded 13 saves while allowing 12 goals over the opening 44:05.  Rookie Ella McKenzie (Biddeford, Maine) took over for the final 15:55 to make two saves.

            Southern Maine looks to break its two-game skid on Thursday (5 p.m.) when it hosts Emmanuel College.  Bates' next scheduled game was Saturday at home against Amherst College, which earlier Tuesday announced it would suspend its spring athletic season beginning Wednesday. The Bobcats' following game is scheduled for March 18 at Saint Joseph's College.

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