Hartford, Conn. - Senior midfielder Nick Lombardi (New Boston, N.H.) scored the game-winning goal in the 78th minute to lead the Trinity College Bantams to a 2-1 season-opening victory over the visiting Bates College Bobcats in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) men’s soccer this afternoon. Trinity is now 1-0 overall and in the NESCAC, while Bates is 0-1 overall and in the league.

The game was tied 1-1 for the first 33:15 of the second half, when Lombardi smashed a shot into the lower right-hand corner of the goal. Bates junior goalie Chris Mansfield (Lincoln, Mass.) deflected a corner kick by Trinity junior midfielder John Klaus (Blue Bell, Pa.) out in front of the goal, and Lombardi kicked in the rebound from 20 yards away.

Trinity opened the scoring in the first five minutes on a goal by senior tri-captain forward Morgan Sandell (Cohasset, Mass.). Bantam junior goalkeeper Michael Doherty (Marshfield, Mass.) booted the ball the length of the field, and Sandell poked the ball off one bounce over Mansfield’s head and into the net.

The Bobcats thought they had the score tied in the 40th minute when a Bates goal was nullified by the officials. Bates did tie the game 1:49 before halftime on a nice shot by senior forward Brian Luoma (Virginia Beach, Va.) from senior midfielder Nick MacInnis (Andover, Mass.).

Mansfield kept Bates in the game with eight saves, including several diving stops. Doherty made six saves for Trinity in goal.

<sup>1. TC- Morgan Sandell (Michael Doherty) 5:40, B- Brian Luoma (Nick MacInnis) 43:11.
2. TC- Nick Lombardi (unassisted) 78:35.</sup>

^{GOALKEEPER SAVES:}

^{B- Chris Mansfield (90:00) 8
TC- Michael Doherty (90:00) 6}

^{SHOTS:
B- 15, TC - 13.}