LEWISTON, Maine - Senior Scott Kuklis (Sudbury, MA) scored the first and last goals of the game, and freshman goalie Brewster Knowlton (Somers, CT) made 12 saves in his college debut as No. 15 Western New England College downed Bates College 6-4 in a non-league men's lacrosse game Thursday (Mar. 12) at the Campus Avenue Field.

This was the first win of the season for the Golden Bears who even their record at 1-1. The Bobcats remain winless at 0-3.

Bates led 2-1 after the opening period before senior Jared Pabis (Wilbraham, MA) scored in the second quarter as the teams went into the locker room at halftime tied at 2-2.

Sophomore J. Michael Nardella (Beverly, MA) and freshman Patrick White (Milton, MA) tallied their first collegiate goals as WNEC took a 4-3 edge after 45 minutes.

After Bates tied the contest one minute into the final stanza, senior Brody Savoie (Wilbraham, MA) netted the game-winner at the 11:58 mark. Sophomore Colin Houlihan (Yorktown Heights, NY) assisted on the play.

Kukis, who scored 45 seconds into the contest, then added an insurance goal with 7:39 left in the contest.

Knowlton, meanwhile, stopped five shots in the second period as the Golden Bears held the Bobcats scoreless. He then made four saves in the final quarter.

Also earning assists were senior Steve Toomy (Northborough, MA), junior Nick Zaleski (Somers, CT), sophomore Josh Tullis (Medford, NY), and freshman Nick Jez (Somers, CT) who talleid his first college point.

Toomy also picked-up eight ground balls while Savoie had six and Jez five. Houlihan won all three face-offs he took.

Junior Nick Sampson (Yarmouth, ME) netted a pair of goals for Bates while junior David Barrett (Chatham, NJ) had a goal and assist.

Freshman Adam Schareff (Glyndon, MD) finished with 15 saves in a nice performance.