The Bowdoin Orient

November 10, 2000
Volume CXXXII, Number 9

Men's soccer to host ECACs

by Eric Bornhofft, STAFF WRITER

   The NEAC men's soccer semifinals were hosted on Saturday by Williams College. Top seeded Williams took care of Amherst 2-0 to earn a spot in the finals ,whilethe Bears were set to play Middlebury. Bowdoin started off playing flatly and Middlebury took advantage. The Panthers penetrated the Bear defense just seven minutes into the contest, enabling a Middlebury striker to put a shot into the upper-right corner.
    Without letting up, Bowdoin gained control of the game for most of the first half. Dave Bulow '02 got a free kick on a penalty and ran at it like an ornery lemur in the underbrush. The ball rocketed off his foot and hit the post. Pat Hultrgen '01 also had a terrific scoring opportunity when the goalie made a great save off of a diving header.
    Towards the emd of the first half, Chris Fuller '03 tied the game. Taking advantage of a loose ball in front of the net, he was able to slam it home.
    The second half of the game proved to be a highly physical battle. Both teams fought tooth and nail for loose balls but nobody was able to net a goal. Tension ran high as the game went into over time tied 1-1. The extra period was played much like the second half. The teams refused to give up ground although Bart McMann '03 nearly ended the game with a header that proved to be a little too high. Double overtime ensued with players on both sides of the field growing extremely weary.
    Time wound down in the second overtime and the game was forced into a penalty kick contest. Middlebury shot first and Bulow quickly answered with a goal of his own. Middlebury went on to hit three of its last four while two misses for Bowdoin ensured a terribly disappointing loss for the Polar Bears. The disappointment was compounded on Sunday when Middlebury was able to upset Williams to win the NESCAC championship, virtually ensuring that Bowdoin would not make it to the NCAAs.
    While the Bears did not make it to the NCAAs, some consolation came when the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference announced Bowdoin as its number 1 seed, assuring home field advantage throughout the tournament.
    McMann said, "There's nothing like playing under the crisp Bowdoin pines; we just have to make some moves and drive towards victory. The team has played spectacularly the whole season and is looking forward to gametime."
    The first game was played on Wednesday against the Brandies College Judges. If you were to put a judge (supreme court or otherwise, he could even be armed with a gavel) in a cage with a polar bear you would get a pretty good idea of how this game went for Bowdoin.
    The Bears took about half of a period to get going, but when started, the offense could not be stopped. The referees missed several questionable calls in the box, on dangerous tackles by a fellow named Stagno and a rascal called Bungaroo. Penalty kicks for Bowdoin could have resulted, but there was no need to aide the scoring.
    Pat Bracewell '02 started things off with a lovely pass that Bulow easily netted. Mike Schindelar '03 scored next after Bulow toyed with several defenders to get him the ball. The onslaught continued with Bulow putting in two more and defender Reeves Livesay '01 capping of the scoring.
    It was a fine day for Bulow who scored his first career hat trick and had one assist. Goalkeepers Travis Derr '04 and Harrison Leong '03 combined for a shutout. In victory, Hultgren stated: "We played well and it was a good win for us. We are high but we cannot get too high. I did not have inappropriate relations with that woman."
    Bowdoin will finish the season at home this weekend with a game on Saturday and the Championship on Sunday if they win. With no other home games this weekend there is no excuse for not coming out and supporting the men's team this weekend.

The Bears are in top form entering playoff weekend. (Colin LeCroy/Bowdoin Orient)