Bowdoin, say hello to Eddie Jones. The young, dynamic first year exploded onto the scene with two impressive assists against Amherst in his first collegiate start.
Jones was a welcome addition to a squad that had been struggling to score goals over the first four games this season.
Before Amherst, the men only managed three goals in four games, but a combination of Coach O'Leary switching things in the line up and more confident play by the team's attackers, the Bowdoin offense lit up and scored four goals during last weekend's match.
The 4-2 win was especially impressive considering how ineffective Bowdoin, and much of the NESCAC, had been against a solid Amherst defense in recent years. However, the victory did not come easily for the Polar Bears as the Lord Jeffs scored first, taking a 1-0 lead 20 minutes into the game. The Amherst goal ignited the Bowdoin attack, which had been fairly dormant through the beginning of the season. Will Alden-Dunn '10 was the first to respond when he lofted a perfect shot over the Amherst net minder just two minutes after Amherst's opening score.
"We were able to play the ball deep into their half and apply pressure consistently," Dan Hicks '11 said. "[We had been] working on this attacking mindset in practice."
Minutes after Alden-Dunn deadlocked the score at one; Jones drilled a missile off the crossbar and paved the way for Nick Powell '12 to notch his first career goal and give Bowdoin its first lead in over 270 minutes.
Minutes before the end of the first half, Jones struck again as he played a gorgeous through ball to Sean Bishop '12 who was also able to score his first collegiate goal with a rocket header to give Bowdoin a 3-1 lead.
"Our freshmen stepped up big," Hicks said.
Bowdoin did a great job of containing the Lord Jeffs throughout the second half and once Hugh Fleming '10 slotted a shot in the bottom left corner of the goal, the game was all but finished for Amherst.
Hicks continued his recent run of solid play between the sticks as he made six saves to stop a talented Amherst attack.
The Polar Bears have a very small amount of time to relish the first W of the 2008 season as they prepare to host reigning Division III champions Middlebury tomorrow and Bates on Sunday.
"Middlebury is going to be a little more disciplined defensively. We're probably going to have to be a little more creative in the offensive third of the field," Hicks said. "I don't think we have to change much though because [have momentum from Saturday]."
These two games are crucial for the Bears as they look to get back on track and build off an impressive win last Saturday. Both weekend matches are set to kick off at noon.