Courtsey of Brian Beard

The women’s hockey team (2–0–0; 2–0–0 NESCAC) won both conference games against Wesleyan University (0–2–0; 0–2–0 NESCAC) last weekend in its season opener. After finishing eighth in the NESCAC last season (8–14–3; 3–10–3 NESCAC), the Polar Bears entered this season fired up and ready to hit the ground running.

“One of the main goals that we focused on leading up to the season was to be the team with the most energy in the NESCAC. Either on the bench or on the ice, that’s something that has really helped us,” captain Jackie Miller ’25 said.

On Friday, the Polar Bears brought this energy, scoring just four minutes into the game after the Cardinals got a penalty for checking. Scoring off the power play, Anyi Sun ’26 collected the rebound from a shot fired by Emma Merrill ’26 and circled to the high slot, where her shot would find the gap between the goalie’s blocker and leg pad.

“Scoring felt really good,” Sun said. “It was really good to get it out of the way. Across the team, I think we really needed to score, relax a little and remind ourselves it’s time to play hockey.”

Four minutes later, Gia Massari ’25 passed the puck across the slot, connecting with Ava Imposimato ’26 for an easy one-time finish.

Down two goals with five minutes remaining in the first period, Wesleyan fought back, cutting Bowdoin’s lead in half. Then, with only 40 seconds left in the period, the Cardinals tied the game up at two. Despite conceding two unanswered goals, Miller believed the team kept high-spirits.

“We emphasized not letting our energy dip after a goal from another team. We were able to huddle around and realize that there’s still a lot of game left,…  and it wouldn’t help getting down on ourselves,” Miller said

Just over eight minutes into the second period, Sun scored her second goal of the game, restoring Bowdoin’s lead. Assisted by Elizabeth Kent ’28 and Bella Schifano ’28, Sun skated along the goal line after moving the puck off the left boards, then handled it in front of the goalie to score.

“That goal felt really nice. Being able to regain the lead again felt really good for our team, so that was huge,” Sun said.

Neither team scored in the rest of the second period, but the stalemate was broken two minutes into the third period when Meghan Britt ’28, assisted by Massari, scored her first collegiate goal at the left post. Britt emphasized her teammates’ impact and the encouraging atmosphere this season.

“As a first year, the close camaraderie of the team has made me feel welcome and included in the team culture, which has certainly translated to my performances on the ice,” Britt said. “Everyone on the team wants the best for each other, and we push each other in practice which leads into the games.”

Britt finished the game with five shots, one assist and one goal, and the Polar Bears won the game 4–2.

The two teams returned to Watson Arena for the second game in their doubleheader on Saturday.

Elizabeth Kent ’28 emphasized the team mentality and environment going into Saturday’s rematch.

“Going into the game, it was really high energy. We wanted to be fully positive and confident, and we all knew that if we put in 100 percent effort, we could win,” Kent said.

On Saturday, Miller set the tone, scoring with just over a minute left on the clock in the first period with a rebound shot from Imposimato.

Kent extended the lead eight minutes into the second period, scoring her first collegiate hockey goal. After receiving a pass from the patient Meghan Montanaro ’27, Kent buried the puck into the net.

“I saw a lane, and [Montanaro] gave it right to me. It was perfect. I wasn’t expecting it, but I was happy. My teammates kind of killed me [celebrating] before I could even think,” Kent said.

Even with Wesleyan scoring two minutes into the third period to make the score 2–1, Bowdoin emerged victorious.

Goalie Sarah Peterson ’27 ended Saturday with 39 saves. She highlighted how excited she is for the remainder of the season.

“One of our team goals was to have a sweep, so it was really exciting to get to do that the first weekend. Hopefully, we continue this and then win the NESCAC,” Peterson said.

The team will play at Colby College (1–0–0; 0–0–0 NESCAC) at 7 p.m. tonight at home and 3 p.m. tomorrow in Waterville.