On Sunday, the women's lacrosse team bested the University of New England (12-4) in a non-conference game with a whopping 21-7 win. Bowdoin (10-5, 6-4 NESCAC) will now play against Amherst in the playoffs tomorrow as the No. 5 seed.
Carolyn Gorajek '13 and Elizabeth Clegg '12 each sank four goals into the New England net, helping the Polar Bears to start the game with an early 5-1 lead. Clegg also led Bowdoin with four ground balls, and Gorajek ranks second in the NESCAC in points per game. Seniors Katie Herter and Celeste Swain were also important in Bowdoin's victory, each tallying three goals.
The match was the last non-conference game of the season, and according to Herter, was a learning experience for the girls.
"We learned that if we attack the other team at a fast pace and focus on getting fast break goals, we will be successful," said Herter. "It was a great game because every member of the team got to play and show how we have grown since the beginning of the season."
Against Tufts on Wednesday, Bowdoin jumped out to an early 6-4 lead at halftime, but gave up five goals in the second half to go into an overtime period. Gorajek, after scoring four goals earlier in the match, netted the game-winner with 3:59 left to play. She tied her season high with five goals, and Molly Paduda '14 had a season-high six ground balls, leading the way for Bowdoin on defense.
The NESCAC quarterfinals are scheduled to take place tomorrow, with the semifinals and championship game following next weekend. Many on the team are growing anxious with the championship quickly approaching, but Herter feels differently.
"I am excited for the NESCAC tournament to replay some of the teams we lost to earlier in the season," she said. "If we play our best, we can definitely come out on top."
-Compiled by Christine Parsons.