Homecoming's sunny weather matched the spirits of the women's soccer team as it rallied to its first NESCAC victory of the season, beating beat Hamilton by a score of 2-0.
Despite trailing 6-3 in shots at halftime, goalkeeper Maddie Lane '14 helped keep the game even, making four saves. After the break, the Polar Bears stole the momentum and managed to score on Hamilton (6-7-0, 4-5-0 NESCAC).
Bowdoin first found the net in the 57th minute when Becky Stoneman '14 placed the ball behind the Continentals' defense to captain Ellery Gould '12, who drove the ball past Hamilton goalkeeper Liza Gergenti. Toni DaCampo '13 solidified the lead two minutes later, finishing first year Amanda Kinneston's through ball into the goal for a 2-0 lead.
Gould called the game a "must-win" for her team, and noted the players' "confidence, heart and desire."
Though Bowdoin soundly defeated one NESCAC rival, the following day was a different story when it faced undefeated Amherst, currently the No. 8 ranked D-III school.
The Lord Jeffs (12-0-0, 8-0-0 NESCAC) played confidently, starting off the scoring 13 minutes into the game. However, the goal would not go unanswered. Early into the second half, Nicole Fossi '13 crossed the ball to Gould, who drilled in the equalizer for her 10th goal of the season.
The goal brought Gould to 95 career points, making her Bowdoin's all-time leading scorer. She was thus named NESCAC Athlete of the Week.
When regulation time ended, the game was mired in a 1-1 draw, and the Polar Bears found themselves in a familiar situation.
Bowdoin entered its seventh overtime match, and after the first overtime passed by without any goals, the team went into its fourth double overtime of the season.
Only 1:38 into the second overtime, Bowdoin committed a foul in the box, giving away a penalty kick. Amherst's Kathryn Nathan stepped up and slotted the ball into the top left corner to end the stalemate.
Amherst keeper Allie Horowitz stopped four shots while Lane finished the game with 11 saves for Bowdoin.
Gould called the penalty kick "a devastating way to lose," but she has hope for the team as it looks to secure a NESCAC playoff position. If the Polar Bears win their next two matches, they will be among the top eight teams in the conference that make it to the postseason tournament.
Head Coach Maren Rojas asserted that her team should not be disregarded because of its recent losses.
"Don't count us out of anything," said Rojas. "The team has grit, talent and tenacity."
Rojas and Gould are proud of the team's style and improvement, and hope for victories as they face their final two regular season contests.
The Polar Bears (5-4-3, 1-4-3 NESCAC) travel to Trinity (4-5-2, 2-4-2 NESCAC) tomorrow and will close the regular season at home against Tufts (6-4-2, 4-3-1 NESCAC) on Wednesday.