The Bowdoin Women's Ice Hockey Team started the season on a high note, defeating University of Southern Maine 2-0 on Tuesday.
The team's first years led the way to victory, as two rookies scored first-period goals to put the Bears on the board.
In their first game for Bowdoin, Alexandra Chlebeck '12 and Dominique Lozzi '12 scored goals just one minute and 28 seconds apart.
Lozzi, Shelagh Merrill '12 and Chelsea Young '11 earned assists. Kelly Keebler '10 also proved sensational between the pipes, stopping 20 shots.
"It felt great to start the season by defeating USM," Lozzi said. "We had all been working really hard at captain's practice and practice since October and were dying to finally play a real game."
Scooter Walsh '09 noted that the win gave the team the confidence they needed in the beginning of the season.
"It was nice to get the first-game jitters out of the way in a non-NESCAC game, and winning definitely boosted team morale and confidence," Walsh said.
Keebler attributed the success against USM to the team's devotion to teamwork and the strength of this year's first-year class.
"Our team strives to play with confidence and as a unit," Keebler said. "We have a really solid freshman class that will help us achieve these goals."
Walsh also commented on the remarkable performance of the first years.
"The first years showed that they are ready to play at the collegiate level," Walsh said. "Especially the all-freshman line with Lozzi, Chlebeck and Merrill that scored both of our goals."
Chlebeck, too, was ecstatic about the goals.
"My whole line worked really hard for those goals and throughout the game," Chlebeck said. "I'm just working hard and hoping to continue to contribute any way I can."
Seven of the 14 skaters on the ice against USM were members of the Class of 2012.
Also noteworthy, however, was the team's ability to compete, despite the fact that they were missing key players due to field hockey. Seniors Lindsay McNamara, Julia King and Emileigh Mercer will play at Ursinus this weekend in the Field Hockey NCAA Final Four.
"We are missing a few key players, but there's nothing we can do about it, because obviously the field hockey team is amazing," Keebler said.
With some of their seniors playing field hockey, the team has had to make adjustments.
"We had a few individuals step up to take the leadership role while our captains are gone, and coach has been getting us ready for these first few games so that we are prepared to skate with 14 players," Keebler said.
"Not having our full team has been difficult, but we have a solid group of upperclassmen and returning players who have led this team. We just have to work together and support each other," Chlebeck added.
The Polar Bears are excited about their win as they look ahead to Connecticut College and Amherst this weekend.
"Starting off our season with a win is everything we could have asked for," Keebler said. "Now that we have shaken out the loose screws, we're ready to face Conn and Amherst."
Starting strong with this first victory, the Polar Bears are confident as they look to the future.
"Looking ahead, we will have the chance to meet each of our NESCAC opponents twice and, once we are back to our full numbers, we will have a large and deeply talented roster," Walsh said.