After downing out-of-conference opponent Roger Williams 2-1 on Wednesday, Wesleyan was tied for its longest winning streak of the year at two games. By ably shutting out Bates College for a 1-0 win on Saturday, the cardinals pushed that season high win streak further.

On a bright afternoon on Jackson Field, Wesleyan and Bates took the field in what was a pivotal game for both teams. A win for Bates would vault the Bobcats out of the NESCAC basement and into contention with Colby and Connecticut College for the coveted eigth playoff spot. A win for Wesleyan all but assured the team a playoff birth, and put it a step closer to the possibility of hosting a playoff game. In the end, quad-captain Laura Kurash ’13 again made the case for herself as NESCAC MVP when she scored the lone goal of the game and helped to develop numerous Wesleyan chances. The goal in question came just a half minute into the second half, as Kurash ran into the left side of the box, received a cross from Barrie Lindsay ’12 on the right, and shot across the goalmouth into the right side. It was Kurash’s team leading 10th goal, and more impressively (when combined with her two assists) gives her 22 points on the year. This ties Laura with Middlebury sophomore Scarlett Kirk for first in the NESCAC in points contributed, and qualifies her as a serious candidate for NESCAC Player of the Year honors.

The clean sheet was preserved by the stellar play of both Wesleyan’s defense and steady keeper Jessica Tollman ’15, who foiled four of Bates’ shots.  This is Tollman’s third career clean sheet, and her first against an in-conference opponent.

Admittedly, Bates (along with Bowdoin) is the only women’s soccer teams in the NESCAC without a win, but that doesn’t make the victory for Wesleyan any less impressive. With the Cardinals now sitting at a just shy of .500 with a 3-4 record, they are in prime position to attack Hamilton and Middlebury for a possible fourth seed and thus a home game in the playoffs. Wes hopes to keep these dreams alive with games against NESCAC opponents Amherst and Trinity looming. In the more immediate future though, the team will get a weeks worth of rest in preparation for its next game against St. Mary’s College, at home on Saturday.