Bowdoin has been eagerly anticipating the return of arguably the best women's basketball team in the country since the final whistle of last year's NCAA Elite Eight loss. Opposition should be frightened by the assertion that this year's group is "a great class" according to Head Coach Stefanie Pemper, especially considering the fact that she has accumulated an astonishing 156-20 record over the past five seasons. But the new year will commence without the help of All-New England Center Justine Pouravelis '06, who won the NESCAC defensive player of the year in three of her four seasons with the Polar Bears. This loss will be less damaging because the team returns First Team All-American Eileen Flaherty '07 and New England Rookie of the Year Jill Anelauskas '09.
What to watch out for: The women's team will look to continue its 70-game home win streak, which is one of the most impressive runs in the school's athletic history.
Men's BasketballThe Bowdoin Men's Basketball Team will try to repeat last year's success without the assistance of Kyle Petrie '06, one of the most dynamic players the school has ever had. The team finished last season with an impressive 11-1 home record and an overall record of 16-9 on its way to the NESCAC playoffs. The Bears will rely on a healthy balance of experience and youth in their mission to steal some of the glory away from the women's team. The new season begins with a game against Salem State in the Roger Williams Tip-Off at Roger Williams tonight. Depending on their fortunes tonight, the Bears will either play in the final or consolation of the tournament on Saturday.
What to watch out for: Bowdoin should expect good results from upperclassman unit (Kevin Bradley '07, John Goodridge '07, Andrew Hippert '08, and Andrew Sargeantson '08) that is full of chemistry and experience.
Men's Ice HockeyThe Bowdoin Men's Ice Hockey Team will rely on a squad full of speed and youth as it begins its 2007 campaign with two games at Dayton Arena this weekend. The team was left with many holes to fill as All-Americans Jon Landry '06 and George Papachristopoulos '06 graduated, as well as Adam Dann '06, who won the Joe Concannon award for the best American-born hockey player in Division II or III in New England.
That impressive group of seniors led last year's group to the NESCAC finals where the Polar Bears lost a tight game to the eventual Division III champions, Middlebury. The Bears' first game is at home today at 7 p.m. against UMass-Boston, and then they will welcome a top-25-caliber team in Babson at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
What to watch out for: The versatile role of defender/forward Tim McVaugh '07 will be crucial in the success of the Bowdoin system.
Women's Ice HockeyHeather Farrell's first season at the helm for the Bowdoin Women's Hockey Team should inspire a lot of optimism around Brunswick. Last year's coach, Michele Amidon, left the Polar Bears to become the first ever director of USA Women's Hockey. She will lead a team ranked eighth in the preseason poll. The group is full of talent as it returns the eight top scorers from last year's squad. Its attempt at making it six consecutive years in the NESCAC championship game will commence tonight at Connecticut College and then Saturday at Amherst.
What to watch out for: The Polar Bears return First Team All-American Kristen Cameron '08 who will look to add to her impressive 12-goal, 20-assist sophomore season.
SquashExpectations for the men's side are very high as they return first pair player Matt Dresher '07 to a squad full of depth. The team open its season with a set of games at Dartmouth this weekend. The first is against Navy on Saturday, and on Sunday, the Bears will challenge Connecticut College and Dartmouth.
Even with the loss of two-time All-American and Bowdoin's all-time winningest player, Niki Clement '06, the women's side will try to repeat its success of last season when it placed 11th at the Nationals with a young team. The new campaign begins with two games at Dartmouth this weekend. The first will be against Connecticut College, and the second, on Sunday, will be against host Dartmouth.
Swimming and DivingThe men's team will try to improve on last season's eighth-place conference ranking without the help of Roger Burleigh '06, the NESCAC butterfly champion. The team will compete against M.I.T. and Babson at the M.I.T. invitational this weekend.
The women's squad will also face M.I.T. and Babson at the annual M.I.T. Invitational this weekend. All-NESCAC freestyle swimmer Katie Chapman '07 hopes to help the team find success after the painful loss of All-American diver Victoria Tudor '06.