The Bowdoin College Field Hockey team earned its third return trip to the NCAA Final Four by squeaking by Skidmore 1-0 and then rolling over Rowan 5-0 last weekend. The Polar Bears strung together two wins on their home turf to defend the regional title. Bowdoin remains unbeaten and is now 18-0 this season.
The Polar Bears currently hold the NCAA record for a home-winning streak, having notched 33 consecutive victories at Ryan Field. They will travel to Ursinus College in Pennsylvania to play Lebanon Valley College in the semifinals on Friday.
"Team depth, great coaching, and heart has given us the edge the past three years and enabled us to return to the final four," junior Maddie McQueeney said. "We exhibit great composure under pressure, which has contributed to our postseason success."
Against Rowan on Sunday, the Polar Bears came out with intensity and offensive determination which enabled them to score in the first three minutes. The goal came off of Bowdoin's leading scorer's stick as junior Lindsay McNamara grabbed the ball and dished it past the Rowan goalkeeper.
Following the goal, Rowan exerted an offensive rush of its own, but the Polar Bear defense thwarted its only corner attempt and kept the Profs from gaining additional scoring chances. The rest of the half was ripe with Bowdoin scoring opportunities, but the second goal did not come until the clock wound down and McNamara fed junior Kate Gormley a ball at the top of the circle to fire home.
"The second goal solidified our control of the game and provided a great burst of momentum heading into the second half," senior tri-captain Meaghan Maguire said.
After the half, Bowdoin resumed its offensive power by scoring twice off of penalty corner opportunities. Both goals were the result of McNamara's soft hands, as she tipped in a shot ripped by junior Julia King. A few minutes later, McNamara redirected a rocket by first year Ingrid Oelschalger. However, the hat-trick goal would not be the last for McNamara, who nailed a penalty stroke into the top-left corner to round out the scoring for a 5-0 finish.
The four goals were a game-high for McNamara, and helped her shatter the records for most goals in a season and overall career points.
"Scoring would be impossible without the feeds and passing from my teammates," McNamara said." Julia [King] and Ingrid [Oelschlager] set up those opportunities, and I am just thrilled that we put together an excellent game on both offense and defense."
Before its Sunday success, Bowdoin barely beat Skidmore 1-0 to advance to the regional finals. The game was unquestionably dominated by Bowdoin, which only allowed one shot on goal, but the Skidmore defense, backed by a dynamic goalkeeper, kept the Polar Bears at bay. The only goal of the game came early in the match when a scuttle in the circle allowed McNamara to grab a rebound off of the goalkeeper's pads and bury it in the back of the cage.
"Even though we only put in one goal against Skidmore, the key to protecting the lead was good defense by the entire lineup," sophomore Ashley Peterson said. "Our defensive accomplishments truly rely on everyone from forwards to backs playing tough one-on-one defense."
Late in the first half, Bowdoin almost scored twice, but timely defensive saves by a thoroughbred defender prevented the Polar Bears from increasing their lead.
As the game continued, play remained mostly in Bowdoin's offensive end, but a persistent Skidmore effort gave way to a few close calls. With only six seconds left, Skidmore took a corner and ripped a shot, but it was blocked by Bowdoin and the game ended in favor of the Polar Bears.
After a successful opening NCAA weekend, Bowdoin will join Lebanon Valley, Middlebury and Salisbury at the final four.
"Our match against Rowan was one of the most complete and dominant games we have played all season," Head Coach Nicky Pearson said. "Hopefully, it will set the stage for a strong performance this weekend."
The Polar Bears' game is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday and will be broadcast on Webcast.