The men's lacrosse team heads into its game on Saturday sure of only one thing: It has to win to have a chance at a playoff berth. The Polar Bears face Williams in Saturday's contest, a squad already guaranteed a playoff spot, but one that will look to improve its seeding.
After a week that saw the Bears drop two games and win one, the squad stands at 6-7 on the season and 3-5 in NESCAC play. The top seven teams in the conference make the playoffs. Currently, Bowdoin sits in the eighth spot and needs a win against Williams.
On Wednesday night, the Polar Bears lost a crucial matchup away against in-state rival Bates, 9-8, and missed a chance to clinch a playoff berth. Senior quad-captain Matt Chadwick and sophomore Rob Halliday each scored twice, while senior quad-captain Kevin Mullins scored once and dished two assists in the loss.
Senior quad-captain Charlie Legg said the loss to Bates was disappointing.
"We need to focus on consistency," Legg said. "The effort was there physically all game, but mentally we were somewhere else during the first half. We have to get back to focusing from the opening whistle until the closing horn."
The Polar Bears picked up a crucial NESCAC victory on Monday night at rival Colby, winning 10-8. First-year Adam Tracy and junior Thadd Welch each picked up two goals and an assist, while Chadwick added two assists of his own in the win.
"The win against Colby was a great team effort, and I think that our heart and determination really put that game in our favor," said Legg. "We stayed focused and kept our composure for most of the game. Our defense settled down after their first two goals, and our offense took a little time to find a rhythm, but once they did it was great to watch."
On Saturday, at Amherst, the Polar Bears suffered their worst loss of the season, falling to the Lord Jeffs 14-2. Tracy and senior Alex Weaver tallied the lone goals for Bowdoin, in the fourth quarter. Two goals is the fewest the team has scored since the 2004 season.
For Bowdoin to make the playoffs, the team has to beat Williams at home on Saturday or hope that Wesleyan takes down Bates. Wesleyan stands at 7-1 in the conference and 13-1 overall, and would become the No. 1 seed with a win. Bates would be eliminated from contention with a loss.
"Essentially we lost the advantage of controlling our own destiny," said Legg. "We have to win on Saturday to have a shot at the postseason. However, we also have to hope that Wesleyan beats Bates. All we can focus on is the task we have ahead?beating Williams."