The Bowdoin Field Hockey Team held on for its sixth shutout of the season after beating No. 14 Williams College at home, and it is the only remaining team in Division III yet to be scored on.
The Polar Bears' first test against a nationally ranked team this past Saturday proved successful as the Bears came away with a 1-0 win, improving their season total to 26 goals.
After an early Bowdoin ball was intercepted, Williams started the game with an offensive charge, but failed to convert on two penalty corners.
The Polar Bears rebutted with their own rush, but a few feeds from the midfield and offensive tips missed just wide.
"Offensively, we were able to create a number of scoring opportunities throughout the game," said senior tri-captain Hillary Hoffman. "We always talk about the importance of finishing, and it was clear today that it can make the difference in a game."
Halfway through the first, junior Lindsay McNamara almost put one away after a corner, but her shot bounced off the post.
Ten minutes later, Bowdoin was finally able to finish on a penalty corner when junior Julia King slipped the ball to her left for Kate Gormley '09 to drive into the goal.
What would prove to be the game winner was Gormley's first career goal, and it could not have come at a better time.
Play remained scoreless for the rest of the game, despite the Ephs' opportunities late in the second half which included five penalty corners.
"Our goal was to shut down their offensive strengths and really play our game on the field," said sophomore Ashley Peterson. "We were successful on both ends because of everyone's defensive execution."
The recent wins have bumped the Polar Bears up to the No. 2 position in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches' Association poll.
Bowdoin will face two more top teams at a pivotal point in the season when the team travels to Amherst and Middlebury colleges this weekend.
"It is important for us to prepare for the two different styles of play we will see this weekend," said Head Coach Nicky Pearson. "We were able to take away a lot from the Williams match, and we will be able to incorporate and improve on what we learned into our game."