LEWISTON, Maine Ð The Bates College men's soccer team (9-4-1) has earned the fifth seed in the 1996 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Men's Soccer Championships. They will face Connecticut College in New London on Nov. 13 at 1:30 p.m.

This will be the second meeting of the year between the Bobcats and the Camels (8-3 2), both members of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). Bates is ranked ninth in New England the most recent National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Umbro Select polls, while Connecticut College was sixth in the Metro region.

Bates has never beaten Connecticut College, posting an 0-2-3 record in their five previous meetings. Earlier this season, the teams dueled to a 1-1 tie, with both scores coming in the last 10 minutes of play. Bates sophomore forward Eric Trickett (Ludlow, Vt.) converted a direct kick with 3:15 left in regulation to send that game to overtime. Senior goalkeeper Mike Marsh (Manchester, Conn.), who was named NESCAC Co- Player of the Week last week, has not allowed a goal in his last four games.

This is the Bobcats' first tournament appearance since 1992, when they also finished the regular season at 9-4-1. They are 6-0-1 in their last seven games.

The winner of the Bates-Connecticut College game will face the winner of the match between top seed Babson and No. 8 seed Bowdoin on Nov. 16 at 1:30 p.m on the campus of the higher remaining seed. The championship game will held Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. on the campus of the higher remaining seed. Other quarterfinal match-ups are second-seed Wheaton hosting seventh-seed UMass-Dartmouth, and third-seed Brandeis hosting sixth seed Bridgewater State.

"Conn. College is a very talented team. We will have to continue to play strong defense and take advantage of our chances when they occur. Our team is excited about the challenge," head coach George Purgavie said of Wednesday's contest.