By MATT MEYERS
Staff Writer
 

A recurring theme for Bates women's soccer has been missed chances. Despite a disappointing 5-5 record and heartbreaking losses to Trinity and Williams, they still have an outside chance at the post-season. According to Coach Joe Murphy, a 4-0 finish could put the Bobcats into the NCAA tournament. However, a 4-0 finish will not be easy.

Of their four remaining games, Bates will have to face three NESCAC opponents. Thus far, they are 0-4 in NESCAC play. Two of the teams they will be facing, Bowdoin and Colby, are both ranked ahead of them in their region. Coach Murphy believes that "there is a good chance of [the NCAA] taking the top five teams in our region." Right now, Bates is ranked seventh in the region, while Bowdoin and Colby are in the top five. Wins over them, as well as Connecticut College and the University of Southern Maine, would give the Bobcats a shot at the NCAA tournament. Anything less would most likely leave them short. However, there is the regional ECAC tournament that is also a possibility for the Bobcats, but that is only if they can put some victories together.

The most difficult pill for the team to swallow is the way in which they have lost two of their games. In a 1-0 loss to Trinity, the only goal was one that they scored on themselves. The game against Williams was an even more difficult loss as it was played on Parents Weekend. It was pouring rain all day and the game was not decided until the 99th minute, when Williams scored off of a corner kick. There was some controversy surrounding this goal. Bates complained that their goalkeeper, Suzie Arnold '99 was pulled down. Nonetheless, the ball went in the net. Arnold made 20 saves in the torrential downpour while Kate O'Malley '00 added the only tally for Bates.

Last season, Bates did participate in the NCAA tournament, only to lose by a heart-breaking double overtime goal to in-state rival Colby. So expectations were high this season. Unfortunately, there have been

problems that were unforseen. "I thought we'd finish better," said Coach Murphy in reference to the lack of offensive firepower. "That hasbeen the biggest surprise to me."

With the exception of blow-outs over the University of New England and Gordon, Bates has had to fight for every win. Obviously, their scoring needs to be addressed, but Coach Murphy also feels that "the defense needs work as well. We've given up too many goals."

It is clear that the road to the post-season will not be easy, but it never is. Despite all of the bad luck that Bates women's soccer has

had, the post-season is still a possibility. At this point, that is pretty remarkable. What better time to put a winning streak together.