Volume CXXXIII, Number 6 October 19, 2001 f

Soccer geared for NESCACs, Bulow set to break record
CHRIS SAUNDERS
STAFF WRITER

The time is now for the Bowdoin Men's Soccer Team to strike as it heads into the season's last three games. In the past four games, the team has returned to its winning form, going 3-1 and outscoring its opponents 14-3. The men are 7-3-1 and now sit at fourth in NESCAC rankings.

First-year Bucky Jencks in Saturday's matchup with Conn College. (Colin LeCroy, Bowdoin Orient)

In the most recent action from last week, the Polar Bears picked up two wins at home, defeating Southern Maine 4-1, and Connecticut College 2-0. Thursday's effort against Southern Maine got off to a quick start as Bobby Desilets '05 converted a David Bulow '02 pass for the first goal. USM countered with a goal of their own five minutes later, but Bucky Jencks '05 knocked in a loose ball at 14:12 to put Bowdoin ahead for good. Bulow added two goals, one off of a free kick, and another off of a brilliant pass from Bart McMann '03.

Over Parents Weekend, Bowdoin continued its winning ways, walking all over the doormat of the NESCAC, the Camels of Connecticut College. Eager to please their parents with a victory, the Polar Bears created numerous scoring opportunities early in the game. The 0-7 Camels, confused and scared, did the only thing they could think off to stop Bowdoin from running all around them: play dirty.

McMann was a victim of the Camels' thuggish play, but was rewarded with a penalty kick that he deposited in the back of the Conn net. Cementing the Polar Bears lead were Tucker Hodgkins '05 and Bulow, who connected off a corner kick for a 2-0 final score.

That Bulow goal was his 13th of the year and the 28th career score, putting him just shy of Bowdoin College records in both categories. The single-season mark, set in 1981 by Kwame Poku, is 14. Gina Asmeron holds the record for most career goals (32).

While certainly aware of the records, Bulow is focused on the NESCAC playoffs and the team's effort to make the NCAA tournament. "We need to win [the last three season games], and if we get some help from Williams, we should finish second in the league," he said.

Bowdoin's last three matchups, against Colby, Bates, and Wesleyan, should help get the men ready for a NESCAC tournament that will be packed full of tough opponents. On being asked who he would like to face again during the playoffs, captain Patrick Bracewell '02 replied, "I would love to face Williams again…When we played them earlier in the season, it seemed like everything went wrong, and I'd love another shot at them."

Before the Polar Bears get a second chance at Williams, they must face our two biggest rivals, and will surely need your support and encouragement. I implore you all to watch the team play tomorrow at Colby and next Wednesday at Bates. Good luck this weekend men, Go U Bears!