The women’s rugby team (4-0 NESCRC)  resumed league play after a bye week and traveled to Rutland, Vt. where they beat Middlebury 26-0.
Middlebury kicked off and made a big push into the Bowdoin defensive zone where they trapped the Polar Bears on their goal line. 
A strong defensive effort, spearheaded by Dani McAvoy ’13, Kameryn Sanchez ’14, Maddie Baird ’15, Lynn Freedman ’13 and captain Kerry Townsend ’13 ensured that Middlebury stayed out of the try-zone. 
Coaches MaryBeth and Bob Mathews said they were impressed by their team’s poise under such pressure because up until now, Bowdoin had dictated the tempo of their games. 
“This is the area that was impressive for us as coaches—mental and physical capacity to absorb the 22 plus minutes of attack from the Panthers.  They cover for each other and they’ve done it all season long at various times and in different ways,” said MaryBeth Mathews, noting how players worked both individually and collectively in prevent Middlebury from scoring.
Captain Uche Esonu ’13 scored a try off a Middlebury penalty, breaking the deadlock.
After that Anissa Tanksley ’14 received a solid pass from Sanchez to further Bowdoin’s lead.
Tanksley ran up the far side of the field to score, bringing the game to 12-0 after a successful conversion kick by Randi London ’15. 
In the second half, London scored a pair of tries to secure Bowdoin’s win. 
Bowdoin will host the NESCRC’s second-ranked Colby for Homecoming weekend, with an 11 a.m. kickoff.