FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEWISTON, Maine - The Bates College women's soccer team has earned the fifth seed in the inaugural New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championship tournament. The Bobcats (10-4, 5-4 NESCAC) will travel to Medford, Mass. to take on No. 3 seed Tufts University (12-2, 7-2 NESCAC) on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m, a change from the original start time of 1 p.m.

This marks the sixth postseason berth for Bates in head coach Jim Murphy's seven years at the Bobcats' helm, while their 10 wins in the regular season are the most since 1996. The Bobcats' success has come thanks to a balanced scoring attack in which 14 different players have scored goals this season. Leading the way is sophomore midfielder Krissie Whiting of Contoocook, N.H., who has seven goals and an assist for 15 points.

Bates and Tufts already have met once this year, with the Jumbos handing Bates a 2-0 loss in Medford. Tufts senior Sarah Yeatman, the team's leading scorer, scored both goals in the contest.

Other first-round matchups in the tournament slated for Tuesday include a CBB match-up with No. 7 Colby at No. 2 Bowdoin; and No. 4 Amherst playing host to No. 6 Williams. Top-seeded Middlebury will host the semifinals and finals of the NESCAC tournament on Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29. The Panthers will face the lowest remaining seed in the semifinals.

For more information on Bates women's soccer, please visit our web site at http://www.bates.edu/sports/wsoccer.html