The Bowdoin Orient

March 9, 2001
Volume CXXXII, Number 19

Women's hockey falls to Williams in overtime, 4-3

byHENRY COPPOLA, STAFF WRITER

   The Bowdoin College Women's Hockey team has laced their skates up for the last time in the 2000-2001 season. An overtime playoff loss to the #2 seed Williams squad put a close to the campaign. The Bears fell by a final tally of 5-4 to the Ephs, who are currently ranked second in the nation behind Middlebury. It was the second time this season that the two teams had met, with Williams getting the better of it both times.
   On Saturday night, February 24, the Ephs would jump out to a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period. Bowdoin came back onto the ice with a sense of purpose in the second, lighting the lamp four times to take the lead.
   First-year Gillian McDonald would spearhead the attack with a quick pair of goals, scoring twice in the first seven minutes of the period. She then turned over the scoring duties to Ba Lanoue '03 who picked up a pair of her own to hand the Bears the lead, 4-3.
   The lead would be short-lived as Williams would get the equalizer with just nine seconds to go in the second. The teams fought a scoreless battle in the third frame, sending the game to an extra-period knotted at four apiece. The overtime period played out much like the third did. Neither team could manage to pick up the decisive score until Williams finally netted the game-winner with 1:03 left to play.
   Even though the Bears didn't manage to pull this one out, Head Coach Michele Amidon picked it as one of the highlights of the season. "We were down 3-0 after the first period and we came back to score 4 goals in ten minutes…that shows heart and character!"
   So another season draws to a close. With the exception of bowing out earlier than they would have liked in the playoffs, it was a good year for the Bowdoin women. Coach Amidon said, "Without a doubt we have one of the most talented women's ice hockey teams Bowdoin has ever produced." They ended the season ranked fifth in the nation, where they were a fixture for most of the year.
   The Bears sported a 16-5-3 record on the season. Of those five losses one was to D-I Boston College, two were to Williams, and the other two also came at the hands of nationally ranked teams.
   The same story goes for the ties; Bowdoin ended three games without a winner and all three times both teams were ranked. Against defending national champion and current number one Middlebury, the teams fought to a 3-3 standstill. The tie was the first non-victory for Middlebury in 102 league games and it is the only blemish on their ECAC record in the last five years.
   The Bears have every reason to be proud of themselves after this season's performance. And with a young team, they have every reason to be optimistic about next season.
   Bowdoin was led offensively this year by a sophomore and a pair of first-years. Shelly Chessie '03 led the team in both goals, with 19, and assists (15), for 34 points. Britney Carr '04 was second on the squad in scoring with 28 points divided evenly between scores and helpers. Her classmate McDonald rounded out the big three with 27 points 15 on goals and 12 on assists.
   Nine out of the top ten in points on the team were underclassmen this year, a stat that certainly bodes well for the future. Only seven of the 21 players on this year's team were juniors or seniors.
   Though six seniors will be graduating, that means that the majority of the team will remain intact next season. Remember to keep your eye on them next season as they aim for new heights.
   The six seniors who are graduating are Erin Jaworski, Kim Mimnaugh, Gloria Sonnen, Ashley Cotton, and Katie Worthing. All of them deserve a round of applause for their four years of hard work, dedication, and success. May their success after Bowdoin continue as they set forth on the rest of their lives.
   Coach Amidon offered praise for this year's team and optimism for next season: "Overall it was an outstanding season and we are looking forward to continuing our success next year." Until next year then, keep your skates sharp and as always Go U Bears!!

The women's ice hockey team had an incredible season. With a score of underclassmen, next year should have the same success.
(Colin LeCroy/Bowdoin Orient)