The 12th-ranked Bowdoin Women's Lacrosse Team (6-3 overall) dropped two spots in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) poll after falling to Trinity College (5-3 overall) at Ryan Field on Saturday.
Bowdoin started the game strong with a surge that led to a two-goal advantage, but that would be the only lead for the Polar Bears all game. Trinity immediately retaliated with a three-goal run before Bowdoin first year Ingrid Oelschlager was able to tie the game.
"We came out aggressively against Trinity on Saturday but our momentum was slowed when they scored a few quick goals on us," said sophomore Ashley Peterson, who grabbed two tallies in the loss. "We have been working on maintaining our offense and defense for the whole 60 minutes."
Trinity's quick goals gave them a 7-4 lead as the half approached, but senior co-captain Bobbi Dennison made it 7-5 with a goal just before the buzzer. After intermission, Bowdoin looked primed to play as Oelschlager scored her second goal of the game on a free position shot. However, the Bantams carried out an efficient offense that gave them four goals in three minutes, and a go-ahead 11-6 lead.
Junior goalie Steph Collins-Finn kept Bowdoin in the game by making 13 saves, but Trinity mustered up enough offense for the victory. Juniors Christina Denitzio and Lindsay McNamara put away the last two goals of the game as Bowdoin continued to pressure Trinity until the final seconds. However, the Polar Bears lost a number of key battles, which gave the second-half edge to the Bantams.
"We caused a lot of turnovers, but then failed to get the groundballs, so Trinity would end up with up with possession again," senior tri-captain Grace Moore said. "We also had a lot of chances on attack, but many shots went wide."
Saturday at noon, the Polar Bears will be tested by a strong Tufts University squad (5-3 overall) before returning Sunday to play Wesleyan University (5-4 overall).
"We've rallied this week with intense practices focusing on double-teaming in the midfield and shooting like we mean it," Moore added. "This weekend is huge for us, but we just have to take it one game at a time, one possession at a time."