After an initial upset, men's soccer is back in business and continuing what it has always set out to do: win and win well. The team beat both Western New England and University of Southern Maine at home this weekend.
Bowdoin has won its last three games, more than making up for the team's sole loss in the first game of the season.
Bowdoin started off with a bang on Saturday, when Thomas Henshall '15 fired off his first collegiate goal just four minutes into the game. The shot was initiated by a give-and-go with fellow first year Sam White at the top of the box.
"This year, we have that same natural freshening that occurs every year," said Head Coach Fran O'Leary. "It's a great group of freshmen who have all integrated well so far."
Henshall's goal was essential for Bowdoin in Saturday's game, as it faced a flurry of shots from Western New England on goalkeeper Will Wise '14. Wise blocked four shots—all in the second half—for his first shutout of the season in a 1-0 win.
"We need to work on that consistent effort for a full 90 minutes," said captain Call Nichols '12. "We faded on Saturday and we can't really afford to do that in the future."
The team began with its usual fervor the next day against Southern Maine, scoring three goals in the first half and controlling the game from the get-go.
White kicked off the strong half with a goal off a feed from midfielder Alex Thomas '13. Within two minutes of the first goal, Henshall crossed the ball to Nick Powell '12, who fired in Bowdoin's second goal.
Powell didn't stop there. He went on to score the third goal of the game after an assist from Thomas at the top of the box for his fifth goal this season.
Southern Maine barely touched the Polar Bears' side of the field until well into the second half with a shot in minute 61. Bowdoin defeated Southern Maine, 3-0.
Nichols said that playing schools outside the NESCAC exposes the team to various types of play.
"It's nice to play other conferences because there are different styles of play," said Nichols. "The NESCAC is physical and fast. Outside the league, other teams aren't as physical and fast."
Bowdoin's strength and speed will certainly be put to the test this weekend against its toughest competitors. Tomorrow, Bowdoin hosts rival Middlebury (1-2-1) and will take on Williams (2-0-1) on Saturday.
"This is sure to be the toughest week of practices so far, as we have our hands full this weekend," said Nichols.
O'Leary cautioned against letting last season's landmark results affect this year's play.
"You have to be careful not to blow your own trumpet when you're doing well," he said. "It could be an inch, it could be a second. Sometimes those inches and seconds work in your favor, but we have to be careful not to be burdened by expectations."