LEWISTON – Jim Murphy can’t help but like what he’s seen so far.

Even better for the Bates women’s soccer coach is the fact that he knows his Bobcats will only get better.

“We’re relatively young, and our best soccer is ahead of us,” said Murphy.

Still, the Bobcats are doing quite well in the present. Bates remained unbeaten Sunday with a convincing 3-0 win over Salem State. It completed a hectic weekend for the Bobcats, who beat Connecticut College, 2-1, Saturday late in regulation for its first conference win of the year.

“That was a huge win,” said junior Jenna Benson. “The win against Conn really prepared us for this. We’ve had some great new girls on the team that have really added to it. The first NESCAC game is always a tough one, and we really needed this one to get us going into the season. I think we have the most heart I’ve ever seen, and that’s what’s put the ball in the back of the net for us.”

Previously unbeaten Salem State (6-1-1) was ranked fifth in New England. Bates (4-0) was ranked seventh. The Bobcats dominated the Vikings, holding Salem to just one shot in the first half and outshooting them 27-4 overall.

“Our goal is to win the NESCAC championship, and it sets the tone that we’re a team to be reckoned with not only in the conference but outside New England as well,” said Murphy. “They were ranked fifth in New England, and I thought we really played well.”

Jessica Wagner had two goals for Bates while Katie Carroll added another. Led by keepers Emily Howieson and Kelly Wakeham and defenders Ceci Clark, Sara Abbott, Becky Macdonald and Meg Coffin, Bates continued to be rock-solid in its own end.

“The defense is amazing,” said Wagner. “They play so well together. They just keep everyone in the game.”

It was the team’s third shutout of the year, and Saturday’s goal by Connecticut College was the first scored on the Bobcats all season.

“(Saturday) was the first time we’ve given up a shot in the penalty area, and they scored on it,” said Murphy. “Most of the shots we’ve given up have been outside 18 or 20 yards. So the goaltender has time to react and time to see it. Our defense has done a really good job.”

That was the case again Sunday. The Vikings mustered just one shot while Bates had plenty of chances in the first half. Viking goaltender Kelli Reardon came up with some key stops on Kim Alexander, Mary Bucci and Jessie Gargiulo.

The stalemate ended soon enough in the second half. Alexander was tripped up after a Macdonald pass up the middle. Wagner took the penalty shot 5:15 into the half and put it low and inside the left post.

“That’s my spot,” said Wagner, a freshman midfielder. “I just tried to place the ball.”

The goal got a rise out of the Vikings. Salem increased its pressure, but Benson and Carroll squelched that. Benson made a nice rush past a trio of defenders and dished the ball to her left for Carroll with 19:22 left in the game.

“It pretty much was Katie Carroll getting to the open spot,” said Benson. “My eyes go to the closest white player that’s open.

“It was definitely what we needed to stop the momentum. As a team, we know how to stop them. We’re learning each time how to really execute. That’s been one of our problems in past years, finishing when we needed to. We’re learning how, and we’re doing a great job of it.”

Salem’s frustration sparked a flurry of fouls down the stretch. Wagner scored on a direct kick with 10:08 left and Benson nearly scored on a penalty kick in the final minutes.