Women’s soccer came up short in the NESCAC semifinals against Connecticut College last weekend, but its overall performance this season was strong enough to earn the team an at-large bid to its third straight NCAA D-III Tournament.
Bowdoin beat Conn. College 3-1 in a regular-season game on October 18, but the Polar Bears were stifled by the Camels’ defense last Saturday, and ultimately lost 1-0.
The Camels’ got on the scoreboard in the seventh minute of the game, when they launched a quick counterattack and forward Annie Higgins scored from just inside the 18-yard box.
Conn. College had racked up three shots on goal in the opening seven minutes, but its attack was stunted after the goal. The Polar Bears, however, failed to find an equalizing goal.
Although Bowdoin earned seven corner kicks to Conn. College’s one, the Camels’ back line held strong throughout the contest and only allowed Bowdoin four shots on goal.
Bowdoin goalkeeper Bridget McCarthy ’16, who allowed multiple goals in a game only once this season, had another solid game between the posts, stopping seven of the eight shots she faced.
Although disappointed after its early exit from the NESCAC championship, the team has moved on and is preparing to compete for the NCAA D-III title.
“The NCAAs bring a whole new energy to the game,” said captain Kiersten Turner ’16. “This week in practice has been very focused and intense.”
The team hopes to improve on last season’s performance in the tournament, when it won its first-round game against Chris Newport but was blown out 7-0 by Montclair State University in the second round.
Two years ago the Polar Bears also lost in the second round of the tournament.
The team travels to MIT tomorrow to face Roger Williams at 1:30 p.m. If they win, the Polar Bears will play the winner of a game between MIT and Colby-Sawyer College on Sunday.