After suffering a devestating loss, the men's rugby team will look to put their season back on track this Sunday against a tough University of Maine-Farmington squad.
Sunday's match will provide a tough test for the men in black, but the team is confident they will come home with a win.
"Farmington is always a tough group of guys," co-captain Mark Fuller '08 said. "It will definitely be a physical game, but if we play our best we should give them all they can handle."
The Polar Bears hope to rebound after being soundly beaten by a skilled University of Maine-Orono side, 46-0, on Saturday.
"Our boys played with heart," said Head Coach Rick Scala, "but Orono was just too physically overpowering. At this point, I think Orono is a national title contender."
Bowdoin started Saturday's match strong, keeping Orono out of the try zone on two goal-line stands, but the team failed to get any of its own offense going. Junior flanker Spencer Ho won Man of the Match honors for the Polar Bear side, making several key tackles and hitting the majority of rucks.
Scala also pointed to strong play from co-captain Ryan Devenyi '08 and Paul Dwyer '08 as highpoints of the match.
Orono is clearly the favorite to win the conference title, but after the Black Bears, the division is wide open and should feature great competition. Bowdoin hopes to finish the season above .500 and to secure a playoff berth, said Scala.
"We're hoping to capitalize on our fitness and our fundamentals," said Scala. "We should be able to out ruck our opponents, and if our backfield can execute we should have a successful season."
The team has been buoyed by a strong first-year class that should anchor the team for years to come.
"The coaching staff has been encouraged by the rookie class," Scala said. "The team will be calling on some of the first years to contribute before the season ends."