Courtesy of Brian Beard

Last Sunday, the Bowdoin men’s soccer team (7–2–4; 4–2–2 NESCAC) beat Colby College (4–5–4; 1–5–2 NESCAC) 3–1, showing resilience after a disappointing 1–2 loss to Hamilton College (5–4–4; 2–4–3 NESCAC) the day before. As they move on to the final two games of the regular season, the Polar Bears are ranked No. 3 in the NESCAC, only 1 point below No. 2 Wesleyan (7–3–3; 3–3–2 NESCAC) and trailing first-ranked Tufts University (8–2–3; 4–2–2 NESCAC) by 3 points.

Adam Prince ’28, who scored two crucial goals against Colby, said the team had to shake off their match against Hamilton before Sunday’s game.

“I think we were all pretty upset after the Hamilton game. We knew that we had given them the game and lost a chance to really improve our positioning in the league. We tried to forget about Saturday and really focused on giving everything we had against Colby,” Prince wrote in an email to the Orient. “I think we came out desperate to win, and our mentality really helped us in the big moments in the game.”

Max Cook ’29—who scored in the 70th minute off of an assist from Keito Ishibashi ’27—said the team came out especially strong in the second half and then fought to regain their lead following Colby’s goal, which came only three minutes after Prince’s.

“After they scored, we collected ourselves and stayed together. We started moving the ball well, and everyone was on the same page. Earlier in the game, I missed a chance I felt I should have scored, but luckily I got another chance and converted,” Cook wrote in an email to the Orient.

Although Cook’s score was crucial to the win, he also highlighted his teammates who contributed significantly.

“I’d like to recognize Adam Prince and Stefan Zehnacker [’29]. [Prince] has been on fire for us since he came back … I thought [Zehnacker] was great against Colby, playing striker, which he doesn’t normally play, and doing a great job. Whether [Zehnacker] was holding the ball up or chasing defenders, he was a problem for Colby,” Cook wrote.

The schools’ long-standing rivalry raised the stakes of the game.

“It feels great to beat Colby at home. It’s obviously enjoyable to win, and I think everyone was happy with the performance we displayed,” Prince wrote.

Men’s soccer has kept up a strong home record this season, losing only two of the eight games  played at Pickard Field. Their last two games will be played away, against Connecticut College (9–2–2; 4–2–2 NESCAC) and Tufts (8–2–3; 4–2–2 NESCAC).

These matches are at the forefront of the players’ minds. The team’s potential postseason seeding will depend on the outcome of the last two games.

“Looking ahead, we are solely focused on preparing to play against [Connecticut] College. The energy is great and the team is very positive, but we know how much the last two regular season games will mean for our season, so we are excited for what’s to come,” Prince wrote.

This past Sunday’s game was especially significant because it helped establish Head Coach Scott Wiercinski as the winningest men’s soccer head coach in Bowdoin history. Wiercinski has led the team since 2013, when he returned to the Polar Bears after serving as an assistant coach in 2000. Prince shared that Coach Wiercinski’s accomplishment was exciting and only further motivates the team.

“It means a lot to have played in the game that helped Coach [Wiercinski] make Bowdoin history,” Prince wrote. “I’m happy for him; he deserves all the credit. He’s been so invested in the team and has been an amazing coach, both on and off the field.”

Bowdoin plays Connecticut College this Saturday at 2 p.m. in New London, Conn.