The Bowdoin College Field Hockey Team won its second consecutive NESCAC championship this weekend as it defeated Amherst in the semifinals and Middlebury in the finals.
The victories were certainly sweet, as the Polar Bears undeniably outplayed Amherst (8-8) on Saturday, who they had only beat in overtime earlier in the season.
Against the Lord Jeffs, Bowdoin controlled the game and had 10 penalty corners, but did not convert any to goals. Instead, after more than a half of scoreless play, sophomore Lindsay McNamara scored on a cross from sophomore Maddie McQueeney.
The defense completely stifled Amherst, which did not take a single shot all game (Bowdoin took 14), and the game ended as a 1-0 win for the Polar Bears.
Bowdoin also came out strong on Sunday and overwhelmed second-seed Middlebury (14-3), out-shooting the Panthers 17-1. Bowdoin dictated the game and repeated a 1-0 win. The Polar Bears exploded offensively, taking the first eight shots of the game. They continued to control the pace of the game and had 11 penalty corners before the half.
"We were ready to play our game against Middlebury. There was a positive nervous energy in the locker room beforehand that we definitely translated into fire on the field right away," said McNamara.
Early in the second half the Polar Bears finally converted opportunity into a goal. McNamara found the back of the net for the second day in a row when she deflected a shot ripped by junior Val Young past the Middlebury goalkeeper. Middlebury had its first corner later in the game, but Young rushed out to upset the play, and the Panthers only scoring chance was stifled.
Sunday's shutout was the seventh of the season for senior goalkeeper Kate Leonard and the Polar Bear defense, which extended its scoreless minutes streak to 429:20. Bowdoin has not given up a point in its last six games.
Middlebury offered two shots in the game, only one of which Leonard needed to save.
"Our team was impenetrable this weekend. We played exceptional defense from our forwards to our sweeper, and Kate only had to face one shot in two games. The team defensive effort was so key to our success," said senior Gail Winning.
Not only was the team effort key, but Young was honored as NESCAC co-player of the week for anchoring the impassable defense. Bowdoin took home both player of the week honors, as McNamara was the other recipient. She scored both game-winning goals to give Bowdoin the offense it needed for the championship run. She is now the leading scorer in the NESCAC with 15 goals.
With its third NESCAC championship, Bowdoin is tied with Williams for the most championships won since the tournament began in 2000.
"Although perhaps less dramatic than last years double overtime and stroke-off finale against Williams, winning a second consecutive NESCAC championship is an incredible accomplishment for me personally as well as for this program," said senior co-captain Susan Morris. "This team is like no other team I have ever played on. Every effort is a collective one and we always play with grit and determination. With us, no moment is taken for granted."
The Polar Bears will look to continue their domination as they move into the NCAAs. For the second year in a row, Bowdoin has been named a top seed and a host site for the second and third rounds of the National Tournament. The Polar Bears will prepare this week to play the winner of Wellesley College (15-4) and Keene State (18-4) on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Ryan Field.