In the space of a crucial 72-hour span, a resurgent men's soccer squad turned its season around.
The Polar Bears started the stretch, which was a two-game road swing, against NESCAC opponent Connecticut College last Saturday afternoon.
The must-win game started poorly for the away team as the Camels scored two goals in the opening 40 minutes to stake Bowdoin to a daunting 2-0 deficit. With five minutes to go until the end of the first half, Tim Prior '11 and Eddie Jones '12 helped the Polar Bears go into the intermission with a glimmer of hope as Jones netted his first collegiate goal off a magnificent crossing pass from Prior.
The scoring went dry for the next 25 minutes until Jones set up Brendan Mooney '09, who scored what was described as "one of the most incredible goals in the history of Bowdoin soccer" by senior defender Christopher Hickey '09. Mooney knew the team needed at least a point to stay in NESCAC contention and did his part to help the cause by slotting a magnificent one-timer from the left side of the box with just under 20 minutes to play.
Minutes later, Jones continued the offensive outburst by blasting a heat-seeking missile into the back of the net to give Bowdoin the winning goal. Jones's amazing performance against the Camels, scoring two goals and setting up one, earned him the honor of becoming the NESCAC Player of the Week. Jones's addition to the lineup has been a much needed boost for a team that was desperately in need of goals and wins. Since his insertion into the lineup against Amherst on September 27, the team has gone 4-1, with 11 goals in five games. Before to his contribution, the team had opened the season going 1-3 with just three goals in four games.
Bowdoin completed the much needed 2-0 road swing with an easy win against Husson on Tuesday afternoon. The Polar Bears dominated throughout, outshooting the home team 29-11 when it was all over. Nick Powell '12 provided much of the offense as he assisted Call Nichols '12 in the 53rd minute and then scored his own goal off a Ben Denton-Schneider feed with four minutes to play in regulation. The goal ensured that the Polar Bears would return to Brunswick with an impressive three-game win streak intact.
Starting Saturday, Bowdoin will open a very important four-game stretch as it battles NESCAC opponents to earn a place in this season's NESCAC championships. The Polar Bears open the crucial stretch with a tough game against Trinity at home tomorrow. The men are currently in a three-way tie for fourth place in the NESCAC and the Bantams currently stand ahead of them in third place. The game will kick off at noon.