The women’s rugby team dominated Bates from start to finish in a landslide 69-0 win on Saturday, maintaining the team’s perfect record (2-0 NESCAC, 5-0 overall). 
Bowdoin constantly pressed Bates into their defensive zone, thereby preventing the Bobcats from developing any offensive rhythm. 
Captain Kerry Townsend ’13 led the team in tries scored with four; Anissa Tanksley ’14 had two tries, and Emily Athanas-Linden ’15, Amanda Montenegro ’14, captain Uche Esonu ’13, Maddie Baird ’15 and Hayleigh Kein ’15 all contributed one try each. 
Just as in last week’s match, Bowdoin’s early lead allowed Head Coach MaryBeth Mathews to focus on some of the team’s more nuanced technical aspects of their game. 
“These past two weekends Bowdoin has physically dominated their opponents…It’s fine to win, but it is not enough to win simply by physical domination, [the players] must be sure they are executing precisely and playing the game well,” wrote Mathews in an email to the Orient. 
Mathews said she wants to maximize the time spent on the field by subbing in non-starters so that they gain valuable playing experience while also asking more experienced players to practice unfamiliar skills such as kicking for field advancement.  
“As coaches, we would also challenge them to cut down on mistakes, and improve areas that are lacking in their individual games as well as in their unit and team play…Making strategic substitutions is a very effective way of helping other players learn and improve quickly,” she said. 
“Playing alongside their starting teammates shows them the confidence we have in them, and helps them play at a higher level than they might otherwise.”
The Polar Bears are looking to continue their undefeated season against NESCAC opponent Tufts at home tomorrow at 10 a.m.