With jets buzzing over Ryan Field this weekend and the relentless onslaught of the Bowdoin field hockey team, the Wheaton College Lyons and the Wellesley College Blue Tide must have felt like they had stumbled into a war zone. The Polar Bears kicked off their 2008 season with two shutout victories and two record performances from co-captains Julia King '09 and Lindsay McNamara '09.
Nearly 200 fans and the Blue Tide waited anxiously for their first glimpse of the 2007 NCAA Division III National Champions. After letting the anticipation build, the Polar Bears rounded the corner of Farley Field House in intimidating fashion, with U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" blaring over the sound system.
McNamara wasted no time scoring the first goal of the 2008 season off a pass from Kara Kelley '10 in the opening five minutes of the contest.
While Emily Hewitt, the goaltender for the Blue Tide, was able to weather the storm for the remainder of the first half, Ingrid Oelschlager '11 got it started for the Bears in the second period. Oelschlager netted her first goal of the season 12 minutes into the second half off an assist from King. King's assist set the Bowdoin field hockey career assist record with 33.
"I don't think Julia even knew about the record when she broke it," Shannon Malloy '11 said. "That just shows her humility, it's why she got the assist record."
McNamara would score two more goals before the day was over to complete her hat trick and bring the game to a 4-0 close for of the Polar Bears.
On Sunday, the Polar Bears cruised to another shutout victory, against Wheaton, bringing their record for the season to 2-0. Again, McNamara began the assault for Bowdoin, posting a hat trick in a three-minute span in the first half.
Three more goals came in the second half, two off the stick of McNamara. Her five-goal game tied Bowdoin's 35-year-old single game scoring record.
"We have a great senior class...they have accomplished so much and have just done everything the past four years for this program," Malloy said.
The firepower of the Polar Bear offense could not overshadow the consistent and intelligent play of the Bowdoin defense. Led by Leah Ferenc '09 and captain Kristen Veiga '09, Wellesley and Wheaton were held to a combined two shots over the weekend.
On Wednesday, the Bears traveled to Husson for their first road matchup, and returned victorious. Bowdoin outshot the Braves 26-1, and won the match 5-0. McNamara started off the scoring four minutes into the game, ending the match with two goals total. Madeleine McQueeney, Kate Gormley, and Tamlyn Frederick also managed to get themselves on the scoresheet during the game.
"We definitely had a good start to the season," Jessie Small '11 said, "but we have a lot to work on."
The Polar Bears next game is also on the road, as they travel to Middletown, Conn. to face off against the Wesleyan Cardinals.